JACKSON, Wyo. — Buckrail reader Edward Dove sent in this video of a pelican taking off from the Snake River in Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) captured on Sunday, July 27.
Pelicans can often be seen on the calm stretches of the Snake River, near islands and shallow water. Like bald eagles, pelicans are “kleptoparasites,” which means they will steal food from other birds if the situation presents itself.
According to the American Bird Conservancy, the American white pelican has one of the largest wingspans of birds in North America, at about 9 feet. Both male and female pelicans have white plumage with black wing feathers that are most noticeable during flight.
The white pelicans that nest near the Rocky Mountains typically winter on the Pacific coast, from California to Nicaragua.
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Monica is a Staff Reporter who studied journalism at Syracuse University and has been in the valley since 2015. She loves writing about the local food and bev scene, especially craft beer. When she’s not on the clock, you can find her paddle boarding, sewing, or whipping up a new recipe at home.