Based on the title provided, it seems the article is looking to identify a large brown bird with a long bill. The most likely bird matching this description is the American White Pelican.
American White Pelican Description
The American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) is a large aquatic bird found in North America. Some key facts about this bird:
- It has an overall bright white plumage except for black flight feathers on its wings.
- Has a large orange bill that is flat on top and hooked at the end.
- Adults have a wingspan of around 9 feet, one of the largest of any North American bird.
- They can weigh between 10-20 lbs, making them one of the heaviest flying birds.
The American White Pelican is among the largest birds found in North America. Its striking white plumage and massive orange bill make it easily identifiable.
Range and Habitat
The American White Pelican has a wide range across North America:
- Breeds in interior wetlands across central Canada and the northern United States.
- Winters along the Pacific and Gulf Coasts from Canada to Mexico.
- Favors shallow wetlands with abundant food supply, like marshes, ponds, and lakes.
They nest in colonies on isolated islands with sloping shorelines or dense vegetation. The nests are simple scrapes on the ground made of twigs and debris.
Feeding
American White Pelicans feed almost entirely on fish. They forage in groups, cooperatively herding fish into tight balls near the surface. Then they dip their bills into the water in unison, scooping up fish-filled pouches in their bills. The pouches can hold up to 3 gallons of water and fish. They are one of the only pelican species that feed cooperatively like this.
Some key facts about their feeding habits:
- They mainly eat small schooling fish like menhaden, shad, minnows, and perch.
- Require up to 4 lbs of fish per day to meet energy needs.
- Often forage in groups of a dozen or more birds.
- May travel 50+ miles between nesting and feeding sites.
Breeding
American White Pelicans nest in colonies that can number in the thousands of breeding pairs. Nesting season runs from March through August across their breeding range.
- Both males and females build nests by scratching depressions in the ground.
- Females lays 2-3 eggs, incubation lasts around 4 weeks.
- Chicks hatch asynchronously over several days.
- Chicks fledge at around 10-12 weeks of age.
- Adults feed chicks by regurgitating food; young pouch food from parents.
Parent birds may travel up to 60 miles from the nesting colony to find food for their chicks. Both parents share incubation and feeding duties.
Migration
American White Pelicans migrate in flocks between breeding and wintering grounds.
- Northern populations migrate south in late summer/fall.
- Return in spring as temperatures warm and ice melts.
- Stopover at traditional sites to rest and feed during migration.
- Some southern populations are year-round residents.
They migrate in flocks, traveling high in v-shaped flight formations. Migrating flocks may consist of hundreds of birds soaring together.
Conservation Status
The American White Pelican has a healthy global population and is not considered threatened:
- Global breeding population estimated at >500,000 individuals.
- Populations stable or increasing over past 50 years.
- Listed as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN.
However, they face some ongoing threats:
- Vulnerable to disturbance at breeding colonies and loss of wetland habitat.
- Exposure to pesticides and pollution in watersheds.
- Competition with commercial fisheries can reduce food availability.
Ongoing protection and management of wetland habitats will be important for preserving American White Pelican populations.
Conclusion
Based on its large size, predominantly brown plumage, and very long orange bill, the American White Pelican is certainly the bird being described in the title of this article. This widespread North American bird lives and feeds in wetlands across much of the continent. Its huge bill allows it to efficiently scoop up fish to meet its substantial daily food requirements. Despite some ongoing threats, healthy populations of this iconic waterbird remain across North America due to its adaptability and protected wetland habitats.
Feature | Description |
---|---|
Size | 9 ft wingspan, weighs 10-20 lbs |
Color | Mostly bright white with black flight feathers |
Bill | Massive orange bill with pouch, up to 18 in long |
Range | Across western and central North America |
Habitat | Shallow wetlands, nests on islands |
Food | Fish, feeds cooperatively in groups |
Conservation | Population stable, protected wetlands needed |