A flock of pelicans along Hwy #24 on Sept. 17. These birds are on their way to California and the Gulf of Mexico, where they winter. The American white pelican is long-lived with some birds reaching 26 years, but the average age is 10 to 15 years. They spend summers on islands in Manitoba’s large lakes. The American white pelican is a protected species in Manitoba. These birds, at nearly two metres from bill to tail tip have few predators and protect their nests well. They are one of the world's largest birds, weighing five to eight kilograms and having a wingspan up to three metres. However, Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship has created a Special Conservation Area (SCA) that is off limits to angling from April 1 to November 15 to prevent entangling the birds in fish hooks. They eat all manner of water creatures, from fish to amphibians and often travel in groups, working cooperatively to hunt.
