Possible Pelican at Vassaux Lake?

[hank]

006 by henry wall, on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/2hiWWdE

[Randy]

Hey Hank, good question but I don't think it's a pelican. Not sure what it is based on the photo though. Do you have any other photos that may help ID?

[merlinator]

If that is a Mallard to the right then it's a pretty big bird. Almost looks like it has a fish in it's beak.

[hank]

It does and that is a Mallard behind it. The reason I thought it was a Pelican is what other Fish Eating bird would be there at this time of year other than a American White Pelican. It is to big for a Loon.

[Randy]

What about a cormorant? Sadly it's really hard to make out any distinctive features in this photo. Did you observe it in the field? Is there any chance at all that this could simply be a bird-shaped stump in the water?

[hank]

Randy, a Cormorant really in case you have forgotten they are black. Secondly this bird was a long way off far enough I couldn`t see it with the naked eye, and lastly it most likely is an American White Pelican which doesn`t have any distinguishing features. All I asked was if it isn`t a Pelican then what can it be?

[Ben]

I don't think it looks like a bird.

To answer the question, I think it could be a log/stump.

Shape is odd. But nothing about it says pelican to me. I'd think a white pelican would be white, not brown. I wouldn't expect a cormorant to sit so high in the water, and the "head" would be awefully large.

If you think it's a pelican thats fine with me, but I don't think it's proveable.

Interesting picture nonetheless

[Randy]

I certainly have not forgotten what a cormorant looks like and it is worth noting that juvenile cormorants are quite pale. I thought it was as good a suggestion as any.

American white pelicans are very white. The subject in question in this photo does not appear to be white, which should eliminate pelican.

Regardless, based on the distant photo, unfortunately I do not think this will be identified.

Put one more in the mystery books