A huge bird with slow, deliberate wing-beats. A red-listed species of bird with the only known breeding location in B.C. is on Stum Lake in the Chilcotin Plateau. American White Pelicans are migratory and winter in southern California and Mexico. Our best opportunities to view them are during migration in the spring and fall as they pass by on their way to their breeding grounds.
Similar species:
There aren’t any similar species that would be expected in the checklist area! Brown Pelicans sometimes travel up the coast from southern waters but are much less likely and are mostly brown rather than white.
Sources:
Ehrlich, Dobkin and Wheye, (1988)
Noteworthy Data
Date | Location | Source(s) | Comments |
| April 25, 2015 | Greenwood Island, Fraser River, Hope | T & D Dal Bello, 2015a | Sitting on a sandbar, remained until April 26, 2015. Appeared to possibly be sick. Photograph displayed below. |
| Sept. 9, 2006 | Ross Lake at Mouth of Skagit River, Skagit Valley. | M. Brown, 2006 | Adult landed on the lake near a flock of Canada Geese. |
| Sept. 9, 2005 | Ross Lake at mouth of Skagit River, Skagit Valley. | M. Brown, 2005 | Adult landed in the lake. (date appx) |
| Sept. 3, 2004 | Cheam Lake Wetlands, Popkum. | B. Dickey G. Gadsden, 2004a | Sub-adult? Remained until Sept 4, 2004. Observed apparent piracy attempts from Osprey. Photographed. |
| April 7, 2002 | Cheam Lake Wetlands, Popkum. | J. Osterhold, 2002 T. Kohler | Flock of six flew overhead in north east direction. |
| March 23, 1999 | Greendale, Chilliwack. | G. Gadsden, 1999 | Relocated at Sardis Pond in downtown Chilliwack. First summer sub-adult. See photos below. |
| Sept. 3, early 1990's | Ross Lake at Hozameen Campground, Skagit Valley. | M. Brown, 1990 | Landed on the lake in front of campground |
Photos
