2 Types of Pelicans in Pennsylvania
Only two pelican species have been documented in Pennsylvania: American White Pelicans and Brown Pelicans. Both are rare visitors that arrive during migration or occasionally as vagrants, with American White Pelicans accounting for the vast majority of sightings (22 records) compared to Brown Pelicans (14 records). These large colonial waterbirds do not breed or establish populations in the state, but their occasional appearance along Lake Erie and other major waterways makes understanding their identification important for birders. American White Pelicans are far-more likely to be spotted, typically during spring and fall migration between April and August, while Brown Pelicans remain exceptionally uncommon vagrants from the south.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.
- 2
- species recorded
- April, June, August
- peak months
Verified species, source iNaturalist
2 types of pelicans recorded in Pennsylvania
2 pelican species have a verified observation record in Pennsylvania, each with at least 10 confirmed sightings. The full list, ranked by how often each is recorded, is below.
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Counts from verified iNaturalist observations. Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
More on pelicans in Pennsylvania:
Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
37 verified observations on iNaturalist of pelican have been recorded in Pennsylvania, most often in April, June, August.
When pelican are recorded in Pennsylvania
Only two pelican species have been documented in Pennsylvania: American White Pelicans and Brown Pelicans. Both are rare visitors that arrive during migration or occasionally as vagrants, with American White Pelicans accounting for the vast majority of sightings (22 records) compared to Brown Pelicans (14 records). These large colonial waterbirds do not breed or establish populations in the state, but their occasional appearance along Lake Erie and other major waterways makes understanding their identification important for birders. American White Pelicans are far-more likely to be spotted, typically during spring and fall migration between April and August, while Brown Pelicans remain exceptionally uncommon vagrants from the south.
How do you tell American White Pelicans apart from Brown Pelicans?
The two species are visually distinct. American White Pelicans are unmistakable white birds with black flight feathers visible when they spread their wings, distinctive yellowish-orange pouches and bills, and pale yellow plumage on the head and neck. They are among the largest waterbirds in North America, measuring up to 5 to 6 feet in length with wingspans exceeding 9 feet. Brown Pelicans, by contrast, display overall brown and gray plumage with a darker back and whitish neck and head. They are smaller than American White Pelicans, reaching about 3.5 to 4.5 feet in length. Brown Pelicans dive-feed, plunging dramatically into water to catch fish, while American White Pelicans feed cooperatively in shallow water, sweeping their massive bills side-to-side to catch fish. Both species have enormous throat pouches, but the American White Pelican's is bright yellow-orange while the Brown Pelican's is duller and darker.
Where have pelicans actually been recorded in Pennsylvania?
Pelican sightings in Pennsylvania are concentrated along Lake Erie and surrounding waterways in the northwestern part of the state, where open water and shallow bays provide temporary feeding habitat during migration. Lake Erie itself accounts for the majority of documented observations, particularly along the eastern lakeshore. A few records come from the Susquehanna River, especially near dams and impoundments where fish concentrate, but these are far less common than Lake Erie sightings. Inland lakes and larger rivers occasionally host individual pelicans, but records are scattered and isolated. The northern tier counties bordering Lake Erie have the highest frequency of pelican observations.
During which months are pelicans most likely to appear in Pennsylvania?
Pelicans are most likely to be spotted in Pennsylvania during April, June, and August, with spring and late-summer migration periods driving the majority of sightings. April represents the peak month with 8 documented observations as American White Pelicans move north toward breeding grounds in the Great Plains and northern lakes. August shows a secondary peak with 7 sightings as birds begin dispersing or heading south. June (7 sightings) captures late-migrating or displaced individuals. Winter records are rare, with only one December sighting and no February sightings in the entire documented record, confirming that pelicans do not winter in Pennsylvania. Late fall (September through November) is also quiet, with fewer than 3 sightings per month on average.
Why are pelicans rare in Pennsylvania despite nearby breeding populations?
Pelicans breed far to the west and south of Pennsylvania, in interior lakes of the Great Plains, coastal areas of the Gulf States, and the Great Lakes basin, but not in the state itself. American White Pelicans breed in western North America from Canada southward, in places like Yellowstone Lake, Utah's Great Salt Lake, and inland lakes from Michigan to Montana. Brown Pelicans breed along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, primarily in Louisiana, Florida, and South Carolina. Pennsylvania's position along the Atlantic Flyway means migrating pelicans occasionally pass through during spring and fall journeys, but the state offers no suitable breeding habitat such as large isolated islands or extensive shallow water colonies where pelicans establish nesting grounds. The state's lakes and rivers are too small and fragmented, and human activity is too intensive, for pelicans to successfully raise young.
What should you do if you spot a pelican in Pennsylvania?
If you see a pelican in Pennsylvania, document the sighting by recording the date, exact location, time of day, species (if you can identify it), and any distinctive behaviors such as feeding, flying, or resting. Take a clear photograph if possible to confirm identification and preserve evidence. Report the observation to iNaturalist, the Pennsylvania Audubon Society, or local birding groups such as the Audubon chapter serving your county. These records contribute to ornithological knowledge and help scientists track pelican range expansion and migration patterns. If the bird appears injured or in distress, contact a local wildlife rehabilitation center immediately rather than attempting to help directly.
Are pelicans protected under Pennsylvania law?
All pelican species are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), which makes it illegal to hunt, harm, or collect pelicans in Pennsylvania or anywhere in the United States. Additionally, the species are protected by Pennsylvania's Game Commission regulations. This protection applies regardless of whether the pelican is a common resident (which they are not in Pennsylvania) or an extremely rare vagrant. Violating these protections carries federal and state penalties. Because pelicans are so rare in Pennsylvania, any sighting should be reported to wildlife authorities rather than disturbed, as each observation contributes valuable data about the species' movements and health.
What other large waterbirds can you see in Pennsylvania instead?
If you are interested in observing large waterbirds similar in size and habitat preference to pelicans, Pennsylvania offers year-round opportunities with native species. Great Blue Herons are common residents throughout the state's lakes, rivers, and wetlands, standing up to 4.5 feet tall with slate-blue plumage and impressive fishing ability. Great Egrets, smaller and entirely white, are regular summer visitors to the same habitats. Night Herons, including Black-crowned and Yellow-crowned species, are less obvious but present in wetlands, particularly during migration and breeding season. Double-crested Cormorants are becoming increasingly common on large lakes, diving for fish and perching with wings spread to dry. Common Loons are winter visitors to Lake Erie and larger inland lakes, known for their haunting calls and sleek diving ability. These birds offer reliable viewing opportunities without the exceptional rarity of a pelican sighting.
Can pelicans survive in Pennsylvania during winter?
Pelicans cannot survive winter in Pennsylvania because the state's lakes and rivers freeze over, eliminating access to open water and fish. American White Pelicans require open lakes or rivers to feed and cannot break through ice to access water. Even during mild winters, temperatures are too cold for pelicans to maintain adequate body temperature without the warmer southern waters they depend on. This is why virtually all pelican sightings in Pennsylvania occur during April through October, with April and August showing the highest frequency as birds transit between southern wintering grounds and northern breeding areas. The single December sighting in the historical record represents an exceptional circumstance rather than evidence of wintering birds. When water freezes, any pelicans remaining in the north must relocate southward or face starvation.
Which pelican species is more common in Pennsylvania?
American White Pelicans are far more common in Pennsylvania, with 22 documented sightings compared to only 14 for Brown Pelicans. This reflects the species' breeding and migration patterns: American White Pelicans breed in the interior of the continent and pass through the Atlantic Flyway during spring and fall migration, creating predictable opportunities for observation along Lake Erie. Brown Pelicans breed along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts and rarely wander far north of the Carolinas, making each Pennsylvania sighting an exceptional vagrant event. For any birder seeking a pelican encounter in Pennsylvania, an American White Pelican during April or August along Lake Erie offers the best odds, though even these sightings remain uncommon enough to merit documentation and reporting.
Frequently asked questions
What types of pelicans live in Pennsylvania?+
The two species are visually distinct. American White Pelicans are unmistakable white birds with black flight feathers visible when they spread their wings, distinctive yellowish-orange pouches and bills, and pale yellow plumage on the head and neck. They are among the largest waterbirds in North America, measuring up to 5 to 6 feet in length with wingspans exceeding 9 feet. Brown Pelicans, by contrast, display overall brown and gray plumage with a darker back and whitish neck and head. They are smaller than American White Pelicans, reaching about 3.5 to 4.5 feet in length. Brown Pelicans dive-feed, plunging dramatically into water to catch fish, while American White Pelicans feed cooperatively in shallow water, sweeping their massive bills side-to-side to catch fish. Both species have enormous throat pouches, but the American White Pelican's is bright yellow-orange while the Brown Pelican's is duller and darker.
How do you tell pelicans apart in Pennsylvania?+
The two species are visually distinct. American White Pelicans are unmistakable white birds with black flight feathers visible when they spread their wings, distinctive yellowish-orange pouches and bills, and pale yellow plumage on the head and neck. They are among the largest waterbirds in North America, measuring up to 5 to 6 feet in length with wingspans exceeding 9 feet. Brown Pelicans, by contrast, display overall brown and gray plumage with a darker back and whitish neck and head. They are smaller than American White Pelicans, reaching about 3.5 to 4.5 feet in length. Brown Pelicans dive-feed, plunging dramatically into water to catch fish, while American White Pelicans feed cooperatively in shallow water, sweeping their massive bills side-to-side to catch fish. Both species have enormous throat pouches, but the American White Pelican's is bright yellow-orange while the Brown Pelican's is duller and darker.
Which pelican is most common in Pennsylvania?+
The two species are visually distinct. American White Pelicans are unmistakable white birds with black flight feathers visible when they spread their wings, distinctive yellowish-orange pouches and bills, and pale yellow plumage on the head and neck. They are among the largest waterbirds in North America, measuring up to 5 to 6 feet in length with wingspans exceeding 9 feet. Brown Pelicans, by contrast, display overall brown and gray plumage with a darker back and whitish neck and head. They are smaller than American White Pelicans, reaching about 3.5 to 4.5 feet in length. Brown Pelicans dive-feed, plunging dramatically into water to catch fish, while American White Pelicans feed cooperatively in shallow water, sweeping their massive bills side-to-side to catch fish. Both species have enormous throat pouches, but the American White Pelican's is bright yellow-orange while the Brown Pelican's is duller and darker.
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