Pelicans (Pelicanidae)

Two species of pelicans occur in NC: Brown Pelican and American White Pelican. Brown Pelicans are common along the immediate coast and breed in a few locations, especially near Wilmington. American White Pelicans are rare migrants or wanderers in NC and are not reported every year.
Brown Pelican (Pelicanus occidentalis) Brown Pelican (Pelicanus occidentalis)

Note the immature (foreground) has a brown head, while the adult (background) has a creamy to white head.

Tigertail Beach County Park on Marco Island in Collier Co., FL
2 Jan 2004

American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)

Digiscoped from a long way away!
Pea Island, NC
10 Dec 2005

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Created on ... January 25, 2004 | Updated on ... March 12, 2006 | jspippen@duke.edu