a committee of the New York State Ornithological Association
Gallery
of New York Rarities
American White Pelican
Text
by Willie D'Anna
Photographs by Willie D'Anna and Betsy Potter
A trio of American White Pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)
was discovered in early May on Lake Ontario. These birds were subsequently
seen on at least five other occasions between Rochester and Niagara
Falls. Although I was surprised to find the species off of Goat
Island, surrounded by the rapids of the Niagara River and miles
from the other reported locations, they almost certainly were the
same birds. All three appeared to be adults, lacking obvious dusky
markings on the head or wing coverts. The bright orange of the
bill and legs indicates high breeding plumage. Note, however, that
the camera accentuates the red tones. Only one bird showed a fibrous
plate on its bill, usually typical of adults in this plumage. Due
to my considerable distance from the birds, which I estimated to
be 350 yards, I was very pleased to be able to obtain images in
which these birds are easily recognizable - the power of digiscoping!
