American White Pelican

Although it was removed from the national list of threatened species in 1987, the American white pelican is still considered endangered in Alberta. White pelicans arrive in Alberta in late April. The birds are very social and group their nests together in colonies. They leave before freeze-up in late September and migrate to the coasts of Florida and Mexico for the winter. One of the world's largest birds, it weighs 5-8 kg and has a wingspan up to 3 m. Beneath it's long, flattened bill is a bright yellow-orange pouch for feeding.