Birdbath, American White Pelican

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I photographed this American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) bathing in shallow water on Sanibel island in Florida. These are among the largest of all North American birds. At between 50 and 70 inches (130–180 cm) long it is the longest in North America. Its wingspan of 95–120 in (240–300 cm) gives it the largest wingspan of any North American bird except the California condor. Average weight ranges between 11 and 20 pounds (5.0 and 9.1 kg).