WHITE PELICANS IN FLIGHT BY RICK READ
The American White Pelican is a large, white waterbird with a 9-foot wingspan. It has a white body with black flight feathers, a huge yellow bill, and throat pouch.
They breed in colonies on inland lakes in western states and up into Canada. During breeding season, the tops of their bills are marked by a horn.
In Florida, we only see White Pelicans during winter along coastal areas. They forage in groups to drive small fish together, where they scoop them up with their large bills.
Happy birding!
PEACE RIVER AUDUBON ACTIVITIES:
• Tuesday, February 17, 8 a.m., Field Trip to Celery Fields, 6799 Palmer Blvd., Sarasota.
• Thursday, February 19, 6:15 p.m. refreshments, 7 p.m. program, “Vertical Oyster Garden” by Ashley Cook from CHEC Alligator Creek, at the Regional Realtors Education Center, 3320 Loveland Blvd., Port Charlotte.
• Saturday, February 21, 9 a.m.- noon, Field Trip to Venice Rookery, 4002 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice.
• Every Saturday, 8:30 a.m., Nature Walk at Audubon Pennington Park, 1153 Alton Rd., Port Charlotte.
You do not have to be a member of PRAS to join us.
Participation is free, and registration is not needed. Visit the website at http://www.peaceriveraudubonsociety.org for all the details, or you can contact fellow BSM resident Rick Read, at 574-870-2695 for information or car-pooling.
