WHITE PELICAN (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos): 55-70 in. Plumage generally white, except for brownish-white primaries and tuft of yellowish feathers at top of head; pouch largely yellow, orange at base; bill and feet orange; protuberance on upper mandible and yellow on head absent in winter. Immature: Bill yellow; top of head brownish-gray. Flies with head back on shoulders and long bill resting on neck. Flock flies in “follow-the-leader” fashion in column or V, each bird, in turn, doing same maneuvers as leader.

Breeds principally on interior freshwater lakes, especially those with islets. In winter, ranges widely over southern and west central parts reaching bays along the coast. May be seen flying at considerable height almost anywhere during migration. C.V. to Yosemite Valley.

CORMORANTS: Family Phalacrocoracidae

DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT

DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax auritus): 30-36 in. Black with greenish iridescence on head and neck; throat, pouch, and lores yellowish-orange; delicate white feathers, which are soon lost, above and behind eye during late winter and early spring; sides of bill yellow; bill usually elevated at a slight angle when neck held erect and bird resting or swimming. Immature: Uniformly dark brown above; whitish on belly. Usually nests in colonies on islets or in tall trees near lakes or reservoirs.

R. and breeding along the coast as well as on larger inland bodies of water. C.V. to the Yosemite region.

Next: Stork-like Birds • Contents • Previous: Grebes

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