Pelicans are large water birds known for their distinctive long bills and large throat pouches. While they can be found in many parts of North America, pelicans are not native to the province of Ontario, Canada.
Pelican Species in North America
There are two main species of pelicans that can be found in North America:
- American White Pelican – Found in western Canada and the United States. They breed primarily in inland lakes in the prairie regions.
- Brown Pelican – Found along the Atlantic, Gulf and Pacific coasts. They are coastal birds that nest on islands and seabird colonies.
The American White Pelican has the most northerly range of the two species, with breeding grounds extending into inland southern Alberta. However, their breeding range does not extend far enough east to include Ontario.
Historical Range of Pelicans in Ontario
American White Pelicans were likely occasional visitors to Ontario historically, but there is no evidence that they ever bred in the province. The southernmost breeding colony known in eastern North America was just north of Lake Erie in southern Michigan.
The first official documentation of American White Pelicans in Ontario was in May 1924 when two individuals were observed at Rondeau Provincial Park along the north shore of Lake Erie. Since then, pelicans have been irregularly reported in Ontario, primarily during migration periods.
Current Status of Pelicans in Ontario
American White Pelicans remain very rare visitors to Ontario today. According to Ontario birding records, sightings occur primarily between April and October when pelicans are migrating between their wintering grounds in the southern United States and breeding grounds in the Prairie Provinces and American Midwest.
Most sightings are of single birds stopping briefly during migration along the Great Lakes. Any sizable flocks are unusual, but groups of up to 13 birds have been recorded.
Location | Number Reported | Date |
---|---|---|
Lake St. Clair | 5 | May 15, 2018 |
Hamilton Harbour | 2 | September 23, 2019 |
Lake Ontario near Kingston | 13 | April 30, 2015 |
As the table shows, most sightings are of small groups seen for a single day before moving on during migration. There are still no confirmed reports of pelicans nesting in Ontario.
Why Pelicans Don’t Nest in Ontario
There are a few key reasons why pelicans are not native breeders in Ontario:
- Ontario lacks suitable nesting habitat – Pelicans nest in large colonies on isolated islands in inland lakes and coastal areas. Ontario has few inland lakes large enough to support breeding colonies.
- Ontario is outside of pelicans’ breeding range – Pelicans have inherent migration patterns that take them further west and south to breed.
- Ontario is too far from wintering grounds – After breeding, pelicans migrate south to winter along the U.S. Gulf Coast and in Mexico. Ontario may be too far north for easy migration.
The absence of pelican breeding colonies in Ontario is therefore primarily a reflection of natural migration patterns and habitat limitations. Pelicans are well adapted to breed in the Prairie region closer to their wintering grounds.
Could Pelicans Establish Colonies in Ontario in the Future?
It is unlikely that pelicans would be able to establish sustainable breeding colonies in Ontario in the future. However, some speculate that climate change could potentially allow pelicans to expand their range farther east into Ontario.
Climate change may open up new nesting habitats in Ontario as water levels decline in lakes. It could also allow pelicans to overwinter farther north along the Atlantic Coast, shortening their migration distance to potential Ontario breeding grounds.
However, any eastward expansion would be limited. The large inland lakes and isolation required for breeding colonies is still lacking in much of Ontario. Plus pelicans exhibit strong site fidelity, returning to the same nesting grounds each year rather than seeking out new areas.
Key Factors That Could Allow Pelicans to Colonize Ontario
- Creation of new isolated islands in lakes due to declining water levels
- Warmer winter temperatures allowing pelicans to overwinter farther north and migrate shorter distances
- Possible gradual shift in migration patterns and nest site selection over many generations
Factors Limiting Pelican Expansion into Ontario
- Lack of large lakes with suitable islands for colony nesting sites
- Short summers and harsher climate than current breeding range
- Strong site fidelity makes colonization of new areas unlikely
Barring major habitat changes in Ontario, pelicans are expected to remain vagrants and unlikely to become established as breeding birds. Their current status as occasional migrants will likely continue into the future.
Conclusion
In summary, pelicans are large seabirds that are not native to Ontario. Occasional sightings occur, especially during migration periods, but there is no evidence of historical breeding colonies. The province lacks suitable habitat and is far outside of pelicans’ normal nesting range. While climate change may bring more vagrant pelicans to Ontario in the future, it remains very unlikely they would establish sustainable breeding colonies due to behavioral and habitat limitations.