American white pelicans have long been considered a western species (though small permanent populations exist in Florida and coastal Texas) since they breed on lakes of the Great Basin and Northern Plains. Over the past decade, however, their summer population seems to be spreading eastward,
Here in central Missouri, these large, majestic birds are common migrants, generally moving through in October and February-March; the spring migrants are especially abundant. Non-breeding birds range widely during the summer months and small flocks frequently visit Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area on the Missouri River floodplain. This morning, 22 were present, the most I have ever encountered during the warmer months.
One wonders if the American white pelican population is shifting eastward or if eastern counts are rising due to an expanding population and range. As climate change dries up lakes in the West, it is easy to imagine that they will increasingly summer and breed in the Great Lakes region. Time will tell.
