Suzi Eszterhas / Brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) Espiritu Santo Island, Baja California, Mexico

Claudio Contreras / American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) group of four on water, Xochimilco wetlands, Mexico City, March

Claudio Contreras / American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) group around small rocky island, Xochimilco wetlands, Mexico City, March

Claudio Contreras / American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) group swimming together. Xochimilco wetlands, Mexico City, Mexico. March

Claudio Contreras / American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) group of five flying, Xochimilco wetlands, Mexico City, February

Claudio Contreras / American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) group of four, Xochimilco wetlands, Mexico City, March

Claudio Contreras / American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) coming into landing, Xochimilco wetlands, Mexico City, March

Krista Schlyer / Brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) coated in oil from the BP oil spill, Louisiana, USA. Gulf of Mexico. June 2010.

Krista Schlyer / Woman cleaning oiled brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) after BP Oil spill in Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana, USA. June 2010.

Krista Schlyer / Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) in rehabilitation centre, covered in oil after BP Gulf oil spill, Louisiana, USA, June 2010.

Krista Schlyer / Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis+ having check up at rehabilitation centre after the BP Gulf oil spill. Louisiana, USA, June 2010.

Krista Schlyer / Brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) covered in oil after BP oil spill, at rehabilitation centre waiting to be cleaned. Louisiana, USA. June 2010.

Krista Schlyer / Brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) covered in oil after BP oil spill, at rehabilitation centre waiting to be cleaned. Louisiana, USA. June 2010.

Jack Dykinga / Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) feeding by surface skimming with mouth agape, brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) joining the frenzy, CONANP protected area, Baja Sur, Sea of Cortez, Mexico. Feb...

Jack Dykinga / Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) feeding by surface skimming with mouth agape, brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) joining the frenzy, CONANP protected area, Baja Sur, Sea of Cortez, Mexico. Feb...

Sam Hobson / Houndfish (Tylosurus crocodilus) leaping from water after being disturbed by plunge-diving brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis). Cenote Manati, Riviera Maya, Yucatan, Mexico. September.

Martin Gabriel / Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) in flight low on above the sea, Costa Rica.

Martin Gabriel / Brown Pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) in flight over Pacific ocean waves Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica, February

Martin Gabriel / Brown Pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) in flight over Pacific ocean waves Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica, February

Stephen Dalton / White pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) Florida, USA, February.

David Tipling / Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) on pier with fishermen, Florida, USA, March.

Shattil & Rozinski / American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) in breeding condition, with bill horn growth, Cherry Creek State Park, Denver, Colorado, USA, July.

Nick Saunders / American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos), Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

Jan Wegener / Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) in breeding plumage, Florida

Alan Murphy / American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) flock, Texas

Alan Murphy / Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis), Texas

Jan Wegener / American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos), Florida

Jan Wegener / Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) group in shallow water, Florida

Jan Wegener / Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis), Florida

Jan Wegener / Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis), Florida

LYNN M. STONE / Eastern Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis carolinensis) courtship plumage, Florida Keys, Florida, USA

LYNN M. STONE / Eastern Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis carolinensis) in breeding plumage, Florida Keys, Florida, USA

Claudio Contreras / Brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) fishing, Cabo Pulmo National Park, Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California), Mexico, July

Juan Carlos Munoz / Group of five Brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) in flight, Isla Holbox, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico.

LYNN M. STONE / American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) landing, Sarasota, Florida, USA, January

LYNN M. STONE / Eastern Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) sub-adult, launching into dive, over Gulf of Mexico; Pinellas County, Florida, USA, November

LYNN M. STONE / Eastern Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) sub-adult, flying over Gulf of Mexico; Pinellas County, Florida, USA, November

David Pike / American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos). Yellowstone River, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA, July.

David Pike / American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos). Yellowstone River, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA.

Tim Fitzharris / Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) on coastal rock, El Matador Beach, Malibu, California

Mark Carwardine / Brown pelican portrait {Pelecanus occidentalis} California, USA

Mark Carwardine / Brown pelican portrait {Pelecanus occidentalis} California, USA

Mark Carwardine / Brown pelican portrait {Pelecanus occidentalis} California, USA

Mark Carwardine / Brown pelican portrait {Pelecanus occidentalis} California, USA

Claudio Contreras / Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, August.

Richard Herrmann / Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) and Brown Pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) feeding on Northern Anchovies (Engraulis mordax), Avila Bay, California

Juan Carlos Munoz / American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) by water. Everglades National Park, Florida, USA, February.

Juan Carlos Munoz / Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) taking off from water. Everglades National Park, Florida, USA, February.

Juan Carlos Munoz / American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrohycnchos) flock. Everglades National Park, Florida, USA, February.

LYNN M. STONE / Eastern Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis carolinensis) in flight. Indian Rocks Beach, Florida, USA, January.

LYNN M. STONE / Eastern Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis carolinensis) in breeding plumage, diving for fish prey; note the closed nictating membrane over eye at the moment of impact. Indian Rocks Beach, Florida,...

LYNN M. STONE / American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorynchos) in breeding plumage, Mississippi River, near East Moline, Illinois, USA, May.

LYNN M. STONE / American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorynchos) in breeding plumage landing on the Mississippi River, near East Moline, Illinois, USA, May.

LYNN M. STONE / Eastern Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis carolinensis) draining gular pouch after surfacing from a dive, with Laughing Gull (Larus atricilla) opportunistically mobbing it for dropped fish. Pinell...

LYNN M. STONE / Eastern Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis carolinensis) after surfacing from a dive, with Laughing Gull (Larus atricilla) opportunistically mobbing it for dropped fish. Pinellas County, Florida, U...

LYNN M. STONE / Eastern Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis carolinensis) after surfacing from a dive, with Laughing Gull (Larus atricilla) opportunistically mobbing it for dropped fish. Pinellas County, Florida, U...

LYNN M. STONE / Eastern Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis carolinensis) adult in breeding plumage unfolding its wings to begin its takeoff. Pinellas County, Florida, USA, January.

LYNN M. STONE / Eastern Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) in breeding plumage (yellow head, red around eye, white neck) standing at edge of surf. Pinellas County, Florida, USA, November.

LYNN M. STONE / Wintering American White Pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhyncos) in non-breeding plumage, feeding in shallow lake by using their gular pouches to net fish. Sarasota, Florida, USA, April.

LYNN M. STONE / Eastern Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis carolinensis) after surfacing from a dive, with Laughing Gull (Larus atricilla) opportunistically mobbing it for fish. Pinellas County, Florida, USA, Janu...

LYNN M. STONE / Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja), adult in breeding plumage, foraging in shallow freshwater lake with an American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos). Sarasota County, Florida, USA, March.

LYNN M. STONE / American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) in winter plumage on water. Manatee County, Florida, USA, January.

LYNN M. STONE / Eastern Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis carolinensis) on beach. Gulf of Mexico, Indian Rocks Beach, Florida, USA, January.

LYNN M. STONE / American White Pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) in winter plumage on water. Manatee County, Florida, USA, January.

LYNN M. STONE / Eastern Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis carolinensis) in flight over water. Indian Rocks Beach, Florida, USA.

LYNN M. STONE / Eastern Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis carolinensis)in flight over water. Indian Rocks Beach, Florida, USA.

LYNN M. STONE / Eastern Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis carolinensis) taking off from water. Indian Rocks Beach, Florida, USA, January.

LYNN M. STONE / Eastern Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis carolinensis) bathing. Indian Rocks Beach, Florida, USA, January.

LYNN M. STONE / Eastern Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis carolinensis) bathing. Indian Rocks Beach, Florida, USA, January.

LYNN M. STONE / American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorynchos) in breeding plumage landing on Mississippi River, near East Moline, Illinois, USA, May.

LYNN M. STONE / American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorynchos) in breeding plumage; note characteristic 'horn', which will drop off later in the breeding season, on upper mandible. Mississippi River, near East Mol...

LYNN M. STONE / American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) wintering on tidal bay in dawn light. Manatee County, Florida, USA, December.

LYNN M. STONE / American White Pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) wintering on tidal bay; with Great Egret standing to right of forefront. Manatee County, Florida, USA, December.

Gerrit Vyn / American White pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) flock cooperative feeding in a shallow marsh during fall migration, Malheur County, Oregon, USA September

Gerrit Vyn / Brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) adult in basic (winter) plumage roosting on a piling, Cameron Parrish, Louisiana, USA. December

George Sanker / Pelican Creek with low clouds overhead, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA, June 2007

Hanne & Jens Eriksen / American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) with open bill, Texas, USA, January

Hanne & Jens Eriksen / Three Brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) in flight, digitally manipulated, Texas, USA, January

Hanne & Jens Eriksen / Five Brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) perched on lamp post, Texas, USA, January

LYNN M. STONE / American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) taking off from the Mississippi River, northern Illinois, USA, June

LYNN M. STONE / Pair of American white pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) landing into the wind on ruffled Mississippi River, both birds in post-breeding plumage, Northern Illinois, USA, June

Steve Gettle / American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) flock preening, Gasparilla Sound, Florida

Steve Gettle / American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) flock, Gasparilla Sound, Florida

Matthias Breiter / American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) flying, Lockport, Manitoba, Canada

Matthias Breiter / American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) flying, Lockport, Manitoba, Canada

LYNN M. STONE / American White pelican in flight (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) in fading breeding plumage (characteristic horn on upper mandible has sloughed off), Mississippi River, northern Illinois, USA, May

LYNN M. STONE / American White pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos), adult in breeding plumage (note hard knob on upper mandible, a characteristic feature of white pelicans only in the courtship and early breeding sea...

LYNN M. STONE / American White pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos), adult in breeding plumage (note hard knob on upper mandible, a characteristic feature of white pelicans only in the courtship and early breeding sea...

LYNN M. STONE / American White pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) at onset of breeding plumage, Lakeland, Florida, USA, March

LYNN M. STONE / American White pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) in flight, in breeding plumage (note characteristic horn on upper mandible, bright orange bill, and yellow pouch), Mississippi River, northern Illino...

LYNN M. STONE / American White pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos), adult in breeding plumage (note hard knob on upper mandible, a characteristic feature of white pelicans only in the courtship and early breeding sea...

George Sanker / American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) resting on Snake River. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA, June.

Rob Tilley / Portrait of a Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis). Everglades Reserve, Florida, January.

Tim Laman / Brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) in flight, USA, December

Tim Laman / Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) preening on the rocks, Goldfish Point, La Jolla, California, USA, December

Rolf Nussbaumer / Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) immature in flight over surf. Port Aransas, Texas, USA, September.