Air shows are a fun and popular summer activity. Aviators display their flying skills and the capabilities of their aircraft to crowds of awed spectators. Wildlife viewers wanting to indulge their fascination for aviation should head to some of Colorado’s reservoirs this month.
There they can watch large white birds fly in evenly spaced lines, or “V” formations. Often the birds’ bodies are motionless as they glide in unison. If the lead bird begins to flap its wings, a rhythmic pattern of wing beats flows like a ripple to the end of the V. Each bird seems to take its cue from the one in front of it, beginning to flap or starting a glide when its predecessor does. These birds ride rising air currents to great heights, where they soar slowly and gracefully circle downward on set wings onto the water. What are these avian aviators? American white pelicans, of course!
Pelicans flying in formation are an impressive sight. It’s no surprise that a group of pelicans is often called a “squadron”. They display the teamwork and precision of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds (but not nearly as noisy)! Their V formation is more graceful and defined than those of geese, which fly with their necks outstretched. Pelicans fly with their necks doubled back, head tucked against their shoulders, accentuating their image as fastidious fliers.
Their size is as impressive as their flight. The American white pelican is one of the largest birds in North America. This huge bird weighs up to 30 pounds and has a nine-foot wingspan. While many call groups of pelicans a “squadron,” a group of pelicans can also be known as a "brief", "pod", "pouch", "scoop", or "gang."
Not into watching flying displays? How about watching white pelicans fish? American white pelicans do not dive for fish like brown pelicans. They fish in cooperative groups. They form a line or half circle and drive fish into shallow water by beating their wings on the surface. When the fish are trapped in the shallows, the pelicans simply scoop them up in their pouched bills. Pelicans can hold as much as three gallons of water in their bill—as soon as they scoop up the fish, they tilt their heads back to drain out the water and then swallow the fish. Young pelicans feed by sticking their bills into their parents’ throats to retrieve food.
Most populations of American white pelicans are migratory; they winter along the coasts, but breed inland. Although they may be spotted during spring and fall migration, summer is the best time to look for pelicans in Colorado. Large flocks migrate into Colorado each spring and breed in large, dense colonies. In late August or early September white pelicans leave Colorado for southern California or the west coast of Mexico. They will fish and rest there until the following spring, when they return to our state to nest again.