Aquatic Birds

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Breeding Horn

Profile view of that horn/bump that some pelicans get during breeding season. Both male and females have it and it indicates that this particular bird is interested in breeding this year. Other pelicans that look the same age and maturity, don't have it. Could not find out in research why some pelicans simply are not interested in breeding in a given season, hard to tell if age is a factor since they often look identical otherwise. You can also see some of the yellow coloration that shows up in breeding season.
American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos American White Pelican white rock lake dallas texas sunset bay aquatic bird aquatic water fowl preening breeding plumage beak horn beak bump breeding season beak horn