ONH

American White Pelican

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
Alton and Grafton, Illinois

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    1 - American White Pelican, Pelecanus erythrorhynchos, with the characteristic keel on the bill during breeding season, and black wing tips.

    04/06/2017 Near Alton, Illinois

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    2 - American White Pelican.

    04/06/2017 Near Alton, Illinois

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    3 - American White Pelican.

    04/06/2017 Near Alton, Illinois

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    4 - The pelicans were fishing cooperatively, herding fish toward the pond’s edge. They would create a new formation after reaching one shore.

    Two other visitors said the pond is a good spot for catfish.

    04/06/2017 Near Alton, Illinois

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    5 - American White Pelican.

    04/06/2017 Near Alton, Illinois

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    6 - American White Pelican.

    04/06/2017 Near Alton, Illinois

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    These pelicans were riding down the Misssissippi River at speed, standing on a log. Occasionally one would hop off to feed. Photographed near Grafton IL, looking west, with Mason Island in background.

    04/06/2017

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Video 1 - 04/06/2017 Near Alton, Illinois

Video 2 - 04/06/2017 Near Alton, Illinois

Video 3 - 04/06/2017 Near Alton, Illinois

Video 4 - 04/06/2017 Near Alton, Illinois

We saw these pelicans in a pond just off the highway near near Alton Illinois.

American White Pelicans migrate south for the winter, then back from the Gulf of Mexico in spring. The Middle Mississippi Valley is a favorite feeding spot as they fly north. They grow keels on the top of the bill in the breeding season. More from the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology.