American White Pelican Breeding Plumage

I consider myself incredibly lucky to have found such a diagnostic bird to illustrate the breeding plumage of an American White Pelican.

In breeding season they get a light yellowish crest on the back of the head and males get a "nuptial tubercle" or fibrous plate on the upper part of their bill that is unique to white pelicans. The feet and bill turn more brilliant colors when breeding as well. The nuptial tubercle will fall off when mating season is over and the crest will turn gray. View large for best detail.

BreedingSpringBirdBirdingOrnithologyNatureWildlifeAmerican White PelicanPelecanus erythrorhynchosCOWeldnuptial tuberclePELECANIFORMESPELECANIDAEColoradoWindsorparkstockPelican50fav1232007AveAvianFIRSTTHEEARTHBirdsAnimalMichael Menefee

From The Variety Collection