Definition

Noun: * American white pelican: A large aquatic bird (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) native to North America, characterized by its predominantly white plumage, black primary flight feathers visible in flight, and a large, pouched bill. It is known for its cooperative feeding behavior.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • During migration, a flock of Pelecanus erythrorhynchos can be an impressive sight in the sky.
  • The Pelecanus erythrorhynchos uses its large bill pouch to scoop up fish from the water.
  • Ornithologists study the breeding colonies of Pelecanus erythrorhynchos in the northern Great Plains.

Advanced Usage

• Scientific Context: The term is primarily used in formal, scientific, or academic writing (e.g., research papers, field guides, conservation documents) to specify this exact species without ambiguity.
  • The study focused on the migratory patterns of Pelecanus erythrorhynchos compared to the brown pelican.

Variants and Related Words

• American white pelican (n): The common English name for .
• Pelican (n): The general common name for birds in the family Pelecanidae, which includes the genus .
• Pelecanus (n): The genus name, which includes all pelican species.

Synonyms

• American white pelican: This is the direct and most common synonym in non-scientific language.
• White pelican: A less formal, regional common name (though it can sometimes refer to other white pelican species globally).

Related Terms (Not Synonyms)

• Pelecanus occidentalis (n): The scientific name for the brown pelican, a different species often found in coastal marine habitats.
• Bill pouch (n): The distinctive elastic throat sac common to all pelicans, used for catching fish.

Noun

1. large American pelican; white with black wing feathers