I agree the image is tricky, but some of the birds, for example the one in the upper left, but others as well, clearly show no black on the secondaries, which American White Pelican should always have. I will admit I do not know the full molts sequence of Northern Gannets, but I believe third year gannets have black secondaries with a largely white back and forewing.
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Florida (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Ixg
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I agree the image is tricky, but some of the birds, for example the one in the upper left, but others as well, clearly show no black on the secondaries, which American White Pelican should always have. I will admit I do not know the full molts sequence of Northern Gannets, but I believe third year gannets have black secondaries with a largely white back and forewing.
I actually disagree with the upper left bird. I see black half way in from the bend in the wing towards the body of the bird. I agree it is thin and could be an artifact - but I think it is an effect of seeing those secondaries almost end on which means that the black is nearly invisible. Tricky indeed!
Niels
Niels
lou salomon
the birdonist
Those are pelicans not gannets!
Mark Lew1s
My real name is Mark Lewis
100% pelicans!
BobbitWorm45
Well-known member
agree with pelicans
In nearly every bird the head sits above the body and the tail is short and square in all cases. Northern Gannets and Sulas in general have pointed longer tails and the head stretches in front of the bird in flight, it does not sit high up and retracted. These are clearly, even in this photo American White Pelicans.
OK, Andy makes two good points; I will agree that these are not gannets and probably pelicans.
