Dean M. Chriss
Photography
Birdbath, American White Pelican
(Click image to enlarge)
I photographed this American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) bathing in shallow water on
Sanibel island in Florida. These are among the largest of all North American birds. At between 50
and 70 inches (130–180 cm) long it is the longest in North America. Its wingspan
of 95–120 in (240–300 cm) gives it the largest wingspan of any North
American bird except the California condor. Average weight ranges between 11 and
20 pounds (5.0 and 9.1 kg).