Yes, white pelicans are found in Minnesota. The American white pelican is a large waterbird that breeds in interior North America. These pelicans migrate north in spring to nesting grounds in Canada and the northern United States, including Minnesota. They winter along the Pacific and Gulf Coasts.
Quick Facts About White Pelicans in Minnesota
Here are some quick facts about white pelicans in Minnesota:
- Two subspecies of the American white pelican occur in North America – the nominate race P. e. erythrorhynchos in the east, and P. e. californicus in the west. The pelicans found in Minnesota are P. e. erythrorhynchos.
- White pelicans were driven to near extinction in the late 19th century by hunters and egg collectors. Their numbers rebounded in the 20th century with greater legal protection.
- These large birds breed in colonies numbering in the low thousands in remote areas with minimal human disturbance. There are around 10 main breeding colonies in Minnesota.
- The largest breeding colony in Minnesota is at Marsh Lake with over 10,000 breeding pairs. Other major colonies are found at Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge.
- Nesting season runs from April through July. The female lays 2-3 eggs in a ground nest made of sticks. Incubation lasts around 30 days.
- Young pelicans fledge the nest at 10-12 weeks of age. The parents care for them for some time afterwards.
- White pelicans feed almost entirely on fish. Common prey includes carp, bullheads, and perch fishes like yellow perch and cisco.
- These birds forage mainly in lakes, rivers, and wetlands. They hunt cooperatively in groups and can scoop up many fish at once in their large throat pouches.
- The Minnesota population of white pelicans is estimated at around 44,000 breeding adults. The North American population is 500,000 and increasing.
- White pelicans are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The major threats today are habitat loss, human disturbance, and environmental contaminants.
Physical Description
The American white pelican is one of the largest North American birds. Adult birds measure 50–70 inches (127–178 cm) in length, have a wingspan of 96–114 inches (244–289 cm), and weigh 8–20 lbs (3.6–9 kg). They are the heaviest pelicans in the world.
As their name suggests, white pelicans have mostly white plumage. Their body feathers are short and dense, while flight feathers on the wings are black. During the breeding season, adult pelicans grow a laterally flattened horn on their upper mandible, which is shed once nesting ends.
Other distinctive features include their large webbed feet, distensible throat pouch up to 7 inches long, bright orange bill and facial skin, pale yellow to pinkish legs, and pale gray to white pouch. Males and females appear identical, while juvenile birds have gray plumage for around 2 years.
Range and Habitat
The American white pelican has a wide breeding range across interior wetlands in central and northwestern North America. Their range centers around prairie pothole habitat but extends north to central Canada and Alaska, and west to the Pacific Coast.
The species winters along the southern Pacific Coast from British Columbia to Mexico, and along the Gulf Coast from Florida to Mexico. Some pelicans that breed in the far north overwinter as far south as Guatemala.
In Minnesota, pelicans breed in marshy lakes across the northcentral part of the state. Major breeding colonies are found in Marsh Lake, Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge, Upper Red Lake, and Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge.
The rest of the year, Minnesota’s white pelicans occupy rivers, lakes, reservoirs and coastal areas across much of the southern half of the state. They migrate through the state to and from their wintering grounds.
Migration and Winter Range
White pelicans that breed in Minnesota and elsewhere in the northern interior migrate south for the winter. They start heading south in September and October, typically reaching their winter grounds by November.
Most Minnesota pelicans winter along the Gulf of Mexico from Florida to Texas, and in Mexico. Some travel as far as the Pacific Coast, Central America and even northern South America. They return north to their breeding grounds between February and May.
On migration and in winter, white pelicans frequent estuaries, lakes, rivers, reservoirs and other water bodies where fish are abundant. Large flocks numbering in the thousands may concentrate in prime habitat.
In Minnesota, white pelicans occur statewide from April to September during the breeding season. By October most have migrated south, though some may overwinter if open water is available.
Diet and Feeding
White pelicans feed almost entirely on fish. They require abundant, high density prey and feed socially in groups to capture schools of fish efficiently.
Common prey species in Minnesota include carp, bullheads, perch, bass, drum fish, minnows and pike. They take any readily available fish based on location and season.
These birds forage mainly in shallow waters since they swim but don’t dive for fish. Flocks surround and herd fish into compact balls near the surface. Then they dip their heads in unison, using their stretchy pouches to scoop up prey.
While the average pouch can hold around 3 gallons of water and several pounds of fish, pelicans often drain out most of the water before swallowing. An adult needs to eat 0.5-1.5 lbs of fish daily. The pouch also serves as a cooling mechanism against the hot summer sun.
Breeding Biology
The breeding season for white pelicans in Minnesota runs from April through July. As soon as ice-out occurs, adult pelicans return to traditional nesting colonies on isolated islands in marshy lakes.
Breeding colonies in Minnesota range from just a few pairs up to more than 10,000 pairs at Marsh Lake. Pelicans are highly social and nest communally, often closely packed together. The nest is a simple shallow depression lined with grasses, reeds or sticks.
Both sexes build the nest. Scrapes and bowing displays help form pair bonds. Females typically lay 2-3 dull white to pale bluish eggs, which are incubated for around 30 days. Both parents share incubation duties. Due to siblicide, usually only 1-2 chicks fledge per nest.
Chicks hatch nearly naked and helpless but grow white down within days. Parents shade chicks under their wings and feed regurgitated fish. Young fledge the nest at 10-12 weeks and are cared for awhile longer by their parents.
Most pelicans first nest when 2-3 years old. They may re-nest up to 3 times if eggs or young are lost. Nesting success is highly variable based on weather, food supply, predation and human disturbance.
Population and Conservation
The North American population of white pelicans is estimated at around 500,000 breeding adults and increasing overall. The highest numbers occur in the Prairie Pothole Region of northcentral North America.
Minnesota hosts around 44,000 breeding adults, or nearly 10% of the continental total. The state population has increased markedly since the 1970s after the ban on DDT and greater habitat protections.
However, white pelicans remain vulnerable to several threats. These include:
- Wetland drainage and degradation of breeding and migration habitat
- Human disturbance of breeding colonies
- Environmental contaminants like mercury and pesticides
- Commercial, recreational, and subsistence fishing leading to prey depletion and entanglement
White pelicans are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Their recovery is aided by protected breeding islands, foraging habitat conservation, and regulation of environmental contaminants. Maintaining adequate prey fish stocks through fisheries management is also beneficial.
With appropriate habitat and protections, Minnesota’s white pelican population should remain secure. They are a visually striking and ecologically important component of the state’s wetland ecosystems.
Conclusion
In summary, white pelicans are large, fish-eating waterbirds that breed in colonies in marshy lakes across northcentral Minnesota. Tens of thousands migrate through and winter in the state annually as well. Conservation efforts have helped pelican numbers rebound from historical declines.
Though not considered threatened or endangered overall, maintaining suitable habitat and food resources will be key to ensuring white pelicans remain a part of Minnesota’s natural heritage long into the future.
