While often associated with coastal areas, large pelicans are a regular and increasingly common presence in Illinois. The state’s diverse aquatic environments provide important stopovers for these majestic birds, challenging common perceptions of their habitat. Their growing numbers reflect changing migratory patterns and successful conservation efforts across North America.
American White Pelicans in Illinois
The American White Pelican is the species found in Illinois. This freshwater bird is one of North America’s largest, measuring 50 to 70 inches long with a wingspan up to 9.8 feet. They are identified by their striking all-white plumage, which contrasts with black flight feathers visible in flight.
A prominent feature is their large, orange-yellow bill with an expandable throat pouch used for feeding. During the breeding season, adults develop a unique, horn-like knob on their bill. Unlike the Brown Pelican, American White Pelicans do not plunge-dive for prey; instead, they cooperatively scoop fish from the water’s surface.
Where to Find Them
American White Pelicans gravitate towards large, shallow bodies of water, major rivers, and reservoirs across Illinois. These expansive aquatic environments offer abundant food sources and suitable resting areas during their migratory journeys. Notable regions for sightings include the Illinois River, particularly areas like the Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge and the Emiquon Preserve near Havana.
Further south, large lakes such as Carlyle Lake and Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge are known pelican gathering spots. In the northern parts of the state, the Chain O’Lakes, Nelson Lake, and various forest preserve lakes in Will County, including McKinley Woods and Lake Renwick, also host these birds. The Mississippi River, as a major migratory pathway, also sees significant numbers of pelicans, especially around areas like the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary and Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge.
Seasonal Appearances and Migration
Pelicans are seasonal visitors to Illinois, using the state as an important stopover during migrations. Their presence is most common in spring and fall. In spring, they typically arrive from mid-March, with some appearing as early as mid-February in southern regions, and remain until early May.
During their spring journey, pelicans head to breeding grounds in the northern Great Plains and Canada. The fall migration brings them through Illinois from late August or early September, lingering until November or December before continuing to wintering grounds along the Gulf Coast of the U.S. and Mexico. Illinois serves as a key refueling and resting area along the Mississippi Flyway, a major migratory route for many North American bird species.
Illinois Habitats for Pelicans
American White Pelicans prefer habitats with large, open water bodies and extensive shallow zones. These shallow areas are essential for their feeding method, where they cooperatively herd and scoop up fish. Illinois’ rivers, lakes, and wetlands provide a rich supply of their primary diet, mainly small fish like minnows and carp, along with amphibians and crustaceans.
Beyond feeding grounds, pelicans require undisturbed resting sites, often choosing isolated islands, sandbars, or remote areas away from human activity. Increased wetland restoration efforts along their migratory routes in Illinois have also contributed to their growing presence. While breeding is less common in Illinois, with the first confirmed breeding reported in Carroll County in 2009, the state’s aquatic environments offer ample resources for their migratory needs.