2 Types of Pelicans in New Mexico

The American White Pelican is the primary pelican species in New Mexico. Adults are predominantly white with black wing feathers and a massive orange-yellow bill and pouch. They are among North America's largest water birds, with wingspans reaching 9 to 10 feet and body lengths of 4.5 to 5.5 feet. The bill alone can measure 10 to 14 inches, making it one of the longest bills of any North American bird. These pelicans arrive in New Mexico starting in March and April, peaking in spring months before departing by late summer. They feed cooperatively in flocks, surrounding schools of fish and scooping them up in their enormous throat pouches.

Brown Pelicans are significantly smaller than American White Pelicans, measuring 3.5 to 4.5 feet in length with wingspans of 6 to 6.5 feet. Adults are predominantly gray and brown overall, with darker plumage on the back and wings and a whitish head and neck. The bill is long and heavy but not as oversized as the American White Pelican's. Brown Pelicans also have a distinctive long pouch that may appear yellowish or reddish. In New Mexico, Brown Pelicans are rare and irregular, appearing most often in fall and winter months. They typically occur farther south near coastal and semi-coastal areas, so sightings in the state are considered unusual.

American White Pelicans and Brown Pelicans differ in size, coloration, and behavior. American White Pelicans are much larger, with predominantly white plumage except for black wingtips, an enormous orange-yellow bill, and pale legs and feet. Brown Pelicans are smaller overall, with dark gray and brown plumage, a smaller but still substantial bill, and darker legs. American White Pelicans feed by dabbing and scooping from the water surface, often in organized group formations. Brown Pelicans, which are coastal specialists elsewhere, are less adapted to New Mexico's landlocked habitat and appear only rarely. When American White Pelicans are present in spring, Brown Pelicans may occasionally overlap during migration, but Brown Pelicans are far less predictable and less common.

American White Pelicans in New Mexico follow a predictable seasonal pattern. Spring arrival begins in March and peaks in April, when birds move north to breeding and feeding grounds. Numbers remain moderate through May and June. By late summer and fall, southbound migration brings scattered sightings in August and September, with numbers increasing again in October. The peak months for seeing pelicans are April (60 sightings recorded), September (40), and October (42) according to iNaturalist data spanning years of observations. Winter sightings (December, January, November) are less frequent but do occur, suggesting a few birds linger or arrive early. Brown Pelicans, when present, are most likely in fall and winter months as vagrants from the south.

American White Pelicans are overwhelmingly the most common pelican in New Mexico, with 325 iNaturalist observations compared to just 12 for Brown Pelicans. This strong data pattern reflects the species' regular spring migration through the state and its reliance on large freshwater reservoirs for feeding. Brown Pelicans remain rare vagrants, appearing unpredictably. If you see a pelican in New Mexico, it is almost certainly an American White Pelican. The rarity of Brown Pelican sightings makes them noteworthy for birders and wildlife enthusiasts, but they should not be expected or considered a regular part of the state's pelican fauna.

Pelicans in New Mexico favor large bodies of open water where they can find fish and feed communally. Carlsbad Lake in the south-central part of the state is a known pelican hotspot, particularly during spring months. Elephant Butte Reservoir, one of New Mexico's largest man-made lakes, regularly attracts pelicans during migration and breeding season. Cochiti Lake north of Santa Fe is another reliable location. These reservoirs and lakes provide the shallow to moderate-depth habitats and abundant fish populations that pelicans need. Smaller ponds, marshes, and narrow waterways are less suitable because pelicans require space to take off and maneuver their large bodies. During migration periods in April and September through October, checking these major water bodies offers the best chance of locating pelicans.

Both American White Pelicans and Brown Pelicans feed primarily on fish. American White Pelicans in New Mexico hunt in coordinated groups, forming semi-circles or lines to concentrate fish schools before diving or dabbing at the water surface with their enormous bills and throat pouches. They consume carp, suckers, shiners, and other freshwater fish species available in the state's reservoirs and lakes. A single American White Pelican can consume several pounds of fish per day. Brown Pelicans, adapted to coastal fishing, would feed similarly if present, but their rarity in New Mexico means this behavior is rarely observed in the state. The availability of sufficient fish populations in major reservoirs is why pelicans are closely tied to specific water bodies throughout their New Mexico range.

Spring and early fall offer the best opportunities to see pelicans in New Mexico. April is the peak month for American White Pelicans arriving during northbound migration, with 60 recorded sightings. September and October, when birds move south, also produce high observation numbers (40 and 42 sightings respectively). These months offer the highest density and predictability of pelican sightings at known locations like Carlsbad Lake and Elephant Butte Reservoir. Late May through June can produce sightings as well, as some birds remain to feed during breeding season. Winter and early spring months (January, February, March) see fewer pelicans, though scattered birds may still be present. Visiting major reservoirs during April or September-October maximizes your chances of successful pelican observation in New Mexico.