American White Pelicans
Arizona hosts two species of pelicans: the American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) and, rarely, the Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis). The American White Pelican is the more common of the two, seen mostly during migration and winter months at large lakes, reservoirs, and rivers such as Lake Havasu, Roosevelt Lake, and the Colorado River. These massive, white birds with black wingtips have a wingspan up to 9 feet and feed cooperatively by scooping fish in shallow water. Unlike Brown Pelicans, they do not dive for prey.
The Brown Pelican is a rare visitor to Arizona, typically appearing after storms or hurricanes that displace coastal birds inland. This coastal species is smaller, with a darker body and distinctive plunge-diving behavior. Occasional sightings occur at lakes in southern and western Arizona, especially in the lower Colorado River Valley.