True Snowbirds Visit NSB
I originally titled this “Huge Snowbirds Invade NSB.” How’s that for a sensationalized headline? It’s technically true but maybe not exactly what you would expect. In this article, I’m referring to one of the nation’s largest birds, and my favorite NSB snow bird. It’s the beautiful White Pelican.
With a wingspan of over 9 feet, the White Pelican is likely the largest bird most of us will ever see here in Florida. They have the second longest wingspan of any bird native to North America (behind the California condor), and are basically as large as a Trumpeter Swan.
Fortunately for us, they make a habit of wintering in the New Smyrna Beach area, and they’re in our waterways right now. Like many of their infamous neighbors from the North, these snowbirds hail from Canada and the Midwest and visit our area to escape the cold.
I’ve seen them on the Indian River, typically in large flocks of 50 or more birds, but they could be found on any bodies of water in the area.
The White Pelican looks similar to this area’s much more common Brown Pelican with a few marked differences. First, they are beautiful creatures; gigantic compared to their brethren, and when they sit on the water they are pure white. During flight, black flying wings are clearly visible, though.
They aggregate in groups call squadrons and unlike their Brown Pelican brethren, they usually hunt together. Their approach for catching food is entirely different and that’s due to their biology.
While the Brown Pelican dives to catch their food, White Pelicans do not have that capability. According to Trey Hannah, Environmental Specialist with Volusia County, the White Pelicans have a critical anatomical difference that forces them to fish differently from their more common counterparts. They do not possess air sacs beneath their skin to cushion their vertebrae when diving for food. This instead forces them to work cooperatively above the surface with the rest of the squadron. They work together as they sit atop the water as their feet churn up the creatures below, which are then scooped up in their large bills. They feast on minnows, panfish, crayfish and tadpoles.
For anyone looking to spot some on their next kayak adventure, we’ve seen them several times in Callalisa Creek area about one mile North of JBs Fish Camp. You can put in at Bethune Park for easy access. If you are cruising through the mangroves, listen closely. You can actually hear them flapping their wings on the water as they preen themselves.
Have fun!
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