Bird Description

Fairly common but local. Breeds on large inland water bodies with many coastal in winter. Like a Hercules aircraft, big and cumbersome. Often seen in organized groups flying between feeding areas, soaring in unison or working together to herd fish, which they shovel into pouch-like bill. Wanders regularly out of range, particularly in late fall. ID: Black-and-white in all plumages. Breeding birds (spring) have horn-like plate on top of bill. Post-breeding, develops gray on head. Nonbr: white. Juv: pale brown-gray coverts, harder to see at distance. Older imms: similar to adult. Occasional escape white-type pelicans have all-dark trailing edge to wing and different bare-part coloration. WHCR and WOST have different shape.