American White Pelican in Rehab

We’re caring for an unusual patient in Wildlife Education & Rehabilitation Program an American White Pelican. Although a few of these birds wind up in our neck of the woods each year, it’s rarely seen in Ohio because the American White Pelican’s normal breeding range is the Northern Plains and Mountain West and it winters along the southern coasts.

The snowy white pelican with black edged wings was picked up in the Cuyahoga River and brought to us on January 19. It had been observed injured for a few days and we immediately noted an obvious left wing injury. An x-ray and veterinary exam revealed no fracture. We are currently treating for a soft tissue injury, keeping the wing stable with a wrap.

Some of the photos we have posted on our Facebook page were taken as Wildlife Rehabilitation Coordinator Amy LeMonds and Wildlife Director Dave Wolf worked to keep the bird eating. (One shot shows the pelican’s amazing open mouth and its long bill with extensible pouch.) The American White Pelican is one of the largest birds in North America .