Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
Breeding Range. (Fig. 10). An unusually large, breeding population, located on Chase Lake in western Stutsman County, apparently has represented the only breeding colony in the state during recent years. This colony has been in continual existence for at least 66 years, although the numbers of adults present have fluctuated greatly. Records concerning breeding populations in this colony are listed in chronological order as follows:
1905--About 500 adults nesting (Bennett 1926)
1908--About 50 adults nesting (Bennett 1926)
1911--48 nests (H. H. McCumber)
1912--80 nests (H. H. McCumber)
1914--100 nests (H. H. McCumber)
1916--About 500 adults nesting (Bennett 1926)
1917--175 adults, 111 nests containing 140 eggs and 131 young (H. C. Oberholser)
1924--2,500 to 3,000 adults nesting (Bennett 1926)
1932--2,000 to 3,000 adults nesting (Bennett 1926)
1937--65 young raised (Lies and Behle 1966)
1941--300 adults nesting (Lies and Behle 1966)
1942--45 adults and 25 young (Lies and Behle 1966)
1943--275 adults and 25 young (Lies and Behle 1966)
1944--1,100 adults, 750 nests and 1,000 young (Lies and Behle 1966)
1945--1,200 adults and 900 young (Lies and Behle 1966)
1946--1,250 adults, 500 nests and 950 young (Lies and Behle 1966)
1947--1,075 adults, 400 nests and 925 young (Lies and Behle 1966)
1948--1,100 adults and 1,100 young (Lies and Behle 1966)
1949--3,000 adults and 1,100 young (N. B. Nelson)
1950--1,300 young (Lies and Behle 1966)
1951--1,400 young (N. B. Nelson)
1952--1,400 young (N. B. Nelson)
1953--1,200 young (N. B. Nelson)
1954--6,000 adults and many young (N. B. Nelson)
1956--1,200-1,500 young (N. B. Nelson)
1957--1,500 young (N. B. Nelson)
1959--3,500 nests (Lies and Behle 1966)
1960--500 nests (Lies and Behle 1966)
1961--4,000 nests (Lies and Behle 1966)
1962--664 young banded (Lies and Behle 1966)
1963--8,000 adults and 4,000 nests (Lies and Behle 1966)
1964--800 adults and 3,000 nests (Lies and Behle 1966)
1965--4,000 pairs (D. A. Anderson)
1966--Numerous nests (RES)
1967--3,000 nests and 6,000 young (A. D. Kruse)
1968--Many eggs and young (RES)
1970--1,746 nests and 2,339 young (A. D. Kruse)
1971--2,150 nests (Boeker 1972)
1972--4,827 nests (Sloan 1973)
1973--3,911 active nests (R. F. Johnson)
1974--4,062 active nests (R. F. Johnson)
Formerly, breeding colonies were reported from other localities as shown by the following records:
Devils Lake--Large numbers breeding in 1883; one man collected over a barrel of eggs (Anonymous 1884). Great numbers also found breeding in 1885 when one man collected one or two barrels of eggs and shipped them to an eastern dealer (Rolfe 1896a). On June 8, 1894, Edwin S. Bryant observed a few adults nesting on an island in the western portion of the lake (Bishop egg collection catalog, Peabody Museum). Judd (1917) reported that this species was found breeding in the eastern portion of the lake. An active colony on the lake disappeared about 1920 (Thompson 1932). The latest colony, located on an island in the southwestern portion of this lake, was recorded in 1956 when 35 adults were counted and 10 nests containing 12 eggs and 6 young were found (I. Nelson).Long Lake, Burleigh County.--In 1932, about 100 adults were nesting on the west end of the lake (Thompson 1932).
Lake Sakakawea (Garrison Reservoir), McLean County.--A colony containing about 100 young was located in July 1957 on an island in the Wolf Creek arm of the reservoir (Anderson and Bartonek 1967).
During the breeding season, considerable numbers of White Pelicans that appear to represent nonbreeding birds are sometimes found in certain favored localities. Especially large concentrations were occasionally recorded on the J. Clark Salyer, Upper Souris, and Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuges. In addition, flocks of White Pelicans that probably breed on lakes in northeastern Montana are frequently seen on the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers in northwestern McKenzie County and southwestern Williams County. Flocks also are occasionally recorded in Dickey and Sargent Counties, and these are probably attached to the large breeding colony at Sand Lake in northeastern South Dakota.
Breeding Habitat. Records in North Dakota indicate that breeding colonies are restricted to isolated, sparsely vegetated islands in large lakes or reservoirs. On the two breeding islands of Chase Lake scattered patches of coarse weeds composed chiefly of false ragweed are present. Flocks of breeding adults often travel considerable distances to various types of lakes and reservoirs in order to obtain suitable food. Berner (1962-1963) reported that the Chase Lake pelicans traveled as far as 40 miles to their feeding grounds, and recent observations suggest that they may fly up to 60 miles for this purpose. The foods regurgitated by young birds of the Chase Lake colony indicated that tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum) and coarse fish, particularly carp (Cyprinus carpio), represent the principal foods consumed. These types of food do not occur in Chase Lake.
Nesting. Breeding season: Early April to early August; peak, mid-April to late July. In 1967, large concentrations of adults were observed on the Chase Lake breeding islands as early as April 8 (RES). Extreme egg dates (thousands of nests): June 1 [1965] at Chase Lake (D. A. Anderson) to June 30 [1963] at Chase Lake (RES). Extreme dates of dependent young (hundreds of young): June 1 [1965] at Chase Lake (D. A. Anderson) to July 28 [1962] at Chase Lake (RES).
Nests were constructed as shallow depressions on the ground and lined with coarse weed stalks. Many nests were less than 10 feet apart. In the Chase Lake colony, those nests that were occupied usually contained from 1 to 3 eggs or small young.
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| Figure 10. Breeding Range of White Pelican. |
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U.S. Department of the Interior |
U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/birds/bbofnd/species/1250.htm
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