American White Pelicans, Florida's Other Snowbird

<p>American white pelicans are one of the largest birds in North America with wingspans up to 9.5 feet across. These majestic birds migrate to Florida for winter feeding grounds, before retreating north and west for the breeding season. Floridians may see these snowy white cousins of the year-round resident brown pelican, feeding in shallow water or soaring across the sky in silent flying V’s.</p> <h2>Learn more:</h2> <ul> <li><strong>Read and share our blog post on American White Pelicans:</strong> <a href="http://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/polkco/2017/11/22/american-white-pelicans-floridas-other-snowbird/">http://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/polkco/2017/11/22/american-white-pelicans-floridas-other-snowbird/&nbsp;</a></li> <li><strong>Learn about feather adaptations birds have</strong> in "Bird Feathers: A Guide to North American Species" by S. David Scott, and Casey McFarland, <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/Bird_Feathers/LhdExsnFNKIC?hl=en&amp;gbpv=0 https://www.google.com/books/edition/Bird_Feathers/LhdExsnFNKIC?hl=en&amp;gbpv=0">https://www.google.com/books/edition/Bird_Feathers/LhdExsnFNKIC?hl=en&amp;gbpv=0&nbsp;</a>The black flight feathers described by Lara are included on pages 35-38.</li> </ul> <h2>How You Can Help:</h2> <h3>Resist the urge to feed Florida's waterbirds</h3> <p>Read more about why, here: <a href="https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW193">https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW193&nbsp;</a></p> <h3>Resist the urge to scare a flock into flight while enjoying Florida's waterways</h3> <p>American White Pelicans are very shy, compared to other water birds. Harassment of their flocks may lead them to abandon a feeding area, increasing their risk of exhaustion or starvation during their migration. So, consider avoiding flocks you may encounter on our beautiful waterways, give them a wide <a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/give%20%28someone%20or%20something%29%20a%20wide%20berth">berth</a>.&nbsp;</p> <h3>Encourage your local government to support the protection and restoration