American white pelicans are large waterbirds that breed in inland lakes and nest in colonies across North America. During winter, they migrate south to more temperate climates. Here is a quick overview of where American white pelicans spend their winters:
Southern United States
Many American white pelicans winter along the coasts of the southern United States. Large numbers winter in coastal Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. Some key wintering sites include:
- Laguna Madre in Texas
- Chandeleur Islands in Louisiana
- Gulf Islands National Seashore in Mississippi/Alabama
- Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida
Inland, American white pelicans also winter on large reservoirs, lakes, and rivers in these southern states. The birds often roost communally on sandbars or islands.
Mexico
Mexico hosts huge numbers of wintering American white pelicans along both its Pacific and Gulf of Mexico coasts. On the Pacific coast, they are abundant in lagoons and estuaries from Sonora south to Jalisco. On the Gulf coast, they occur along the entire coastline, with large concentrations in Tamualipas, Veracruz, Tabasco, and Campeche.
Inland wetlands, reservoirs, and lakes throughout Mexico also provide important overwintering habitat. Some key sites include:
- Celestún Biosphere Reserve in Yucatán
- Lago Cuitzeo in Michoacán
- Lago de Pátzcuaro in Michoacán
- Lago de Yuriria in Guanajuato
Central America
American white pelicans overwinter in wetlands along the Pacific and Caribbean coasts of Central America. Large numbers occur in coastal lagoons, estuaries, and salt pans from Guatemala to Panama. Key sites include:
- Chacocente Lagoon in Nicaragua
- Bahía de Jiquilisco in El Salvador
- Gulf of Montijo in Panama
Inland lakes, reservoirs, and flooded agricultural fields also provide habitat, especially in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Costa Rica.
Caribbean Islands
American white pelicans overwinter in small numbers throughout the Caribbean, including:
- Cuba
- Hispaniola
- Puerto Rico
- U.S. Virgin Islands
- British Virgin Islands
- Lesser Antilles
They frequent coastal lagoons, estuaries, saltpans, and inland lakes and wetlands on these islands during winter.
Northern South America
American white pelicans migrate down the Pacific coast of South America, reaching as far south as Peru and northern Chile. Key wintering sites include:
- Gulf of Guayaquil in Ecuador
- Manglares Churute Ecological Reserve in Ecuador
- Paracas National Reserve in Peru
On the Atlantic coast, they occur in small numbers down to northern Argentina and eastern Brazil. However, the core of their winter range in South America is along the Pacific coast.
California and Western Mexico
Unlike most American white pelicans that migrate, some birds in California and western Mexico are year-round residents. They forage and roost on productive coastal and inland wetlands year-round. Some key sites include:
- Salton Sea in California
- Mono Lake in California
- Owens Lake in California
- Coastal lagoons in western Baja California
Conclusion
In summary, American white pelicans have an enormous winter range that spans the southern United States, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and northern South America. The core areas are the Gulf Coast of the U.S., Mexico’s coasts, and the Pacific coast of Central and South America. Though they migrate south, some birds stay year-round in California and western Mexico. American white pelicans favor coastal areas, but also use inland lakes, reservoirs, and flooded fields during winter.
Key Facts
Here are some key facts about where American white pelicans spend the winter:
- Winter along the coasts of the southern U.S. from Texas to North Carolina.
- Abundant along both coasts of Mexico.
- Occur down the Pacific coast of Central and South America to Peru/Chile.
- Occur in the Caribbean, especially Cuba and Hispaniola.
- Favor coastal lagoons, estuaries, lakes, reservoirs.
- Some are year-round residents in California and western Mexico.
Winter Distribution Maps
These maps help illustrate the broad wintering range of the American white pelican throughout North America, Central America, and northern South America:
North America
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Image credit: Cornell Lab of Ornithology |
Central America and Northern South America
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Image credit: Birds of the World, Cornell Lab of Ornithology |
Pelican Migration Journey
American white pelicans migrate incredible distances each fall and spring between their breeding grounds in the northern United States and Canada and wintering grounds as far south as South America. Here’s an overview of their migration journey:
- Breeding grounds extend across central Canada and the northern U.S. from Minnesota to the Pacific Coast.
- In August-September, adults and juveniles leave the breeding grounds and migrate south.
- They form huge flocks that can number in the thousands of birds.
- Many funnel through the Great Plains, following major river systems like the Missouri and Mississippi.
- Others follow the Pacific Coast into Mexico and Central/South America.
- Migration continues through October-November.
- By December, most have reached wintering grounds in southern U.S., Mexico, Central America, Caribbean, northern South America.
- In March-April, the northward spring migration starts, retracing the same routes back to the breeding grounds.
- Most have returned to nesting colonies by May when the breeding season starts.
This seasonal migration can cover thousands of miles depending on the breeding and wintering locations. The longest migrations extend from northern Canada to South America, a journey of 7,000 miles or more one-way!
Threats on Migration
American white pelicans face a variety of threats during their epic seasonal migrations:
- Habitat loss – Wetland drainage and filling reduces stopover habitat for migrating and wintering pelicans.
- Climate change – Drought dries up wetland stopover sites and changes prey distributions.
- Wind turbines – Collisions with wind turbines are an emerging issue.
- Disease – Avian cholera outbreaks have killed thousands of migrating pelicans.
- Human disturbance – The birds are sensitive to disturbance at migratory stopover sites that can deplete their energy reserves.
Conservation of wetland habitats across their migratory routes is crucial to protecting American white pelicans throughout their annual migration cycle.
Interesting Facts About American White Pelican Migration
Here are some interesting facts about the migration behaviour of American white pelicans:
- Migrate in flocks of hundreds or thousands of birds, often soaring in circles on thermals.
- Young birds migrate earlier in fall and later in spring than adult birds.
- Complete migration in stages, stopping to rest and feed for days or weeks.
- Alternate flapping flight with soaring and gliding to conserve energy.
- Males migrate earlier in spring than females to establish nesting territories.
- Adults arrive back on breeding grounds 1-2 months before nesting starts.
- Some juveniles stay on wintering grounds first year rather than migrate.
- Migratory routes and timing can vary year to year depending on conditions.
Key Migratory Stopover Sites
Here are some key wetland stopover sites American white pelicans rely on during migration:
Stopover Site | Location |
---|---|
Lake Thompson | South Dakota |
Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge | South Dakota |
Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area | Kansas |
Great Salt Lake | Utah |
Salton Sea | California |
Mono Lake | California |
Protecting chains of wetland stopover habitats across North America is vital for conservation of migrating American white pelicans.
Conclusion
In conclusion, American white pelicans are migratory birds that undertake incredible journeys each year between breeding grounds in northern North America and wintering grounds as far south as South America. Their migration routes cover thousands of miles and traverse a wide range of habitats across the Americas. Conserving wetlands throughout their range is crucial to supporting healthy pelican populations throughout their annual cycle.
American white pelicans are amazing long-distance migrants that connect ecosystems across continents. Learning more about their migratory biology and preserving their habitats can help ensure these iconic birds continue their extraordinary migrations for generations to come.