White Pelican
What makes a long journey, is a lot nicer than a goose, and can swallow fish whole?
A White Pelican!
Critter At A Glance
What makes this critter AWESOME? These birds are one of the largest in North America, and they soar through the air with their HUGE black and white wings. Their bill is what they are often recognized for, and some even thing they look like dinosaurs. They are crafty food thieves and are know to steel food right out of other pelican’s mouths, other nests, or other species!
What are their babies like? Pelican chicks can crawl by 2 weeks old. By 3 weeks, they can walk with their body off the ground. Older chicks start to run and flap their wings, and by the age of 9-10 weeks, they can fly.
What is the best environment for them? White Pelicans are migrating birds. Birds that make their nests east of the Rocky Mountains go all the way to Golf of Mexico in the winter. Those that make nests West of the Rockies go to the Pacific Coast during winter.
Don’t miss the amazing story below!
Are you ready for an out of this world fact?
Pelicans can overheat very easily in the hot sun. They cool down by facing away from the sun and fluttering their bill pouches. Their bill pouch has many blood vessels to let body heat escape. Even babies in their eggs squawk when they get too hot. The parents use their huge wings to shield the eggs from the sun.
Critter Protectors we need you
to join our CritterQ!
Today’s challenge is to make your own bird memory game!
Download and color this PDF below with the game cards. Cut out each picture and stick them to a notecard or piece of thick paper.
Find someone to play against, shuffle the cards, lay them out face down, and test your BRAIN POWER.
Don’t forget to share the winner! #heymrjim
“American White Pelican Overview, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology.” Online Bird Guide, Bird ID Help, Life History, Bird Sounds from Cornell About Birds, https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_White_Pelican/overview. Accessed 23 May 2022.
“American White Pelican Overview, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology.” Online Bird Guide, Bird ID Help, Life History, Bird Sounds from Cornell About Birds, https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_White_Pelican/overview. Accessed 23 May 2022.