Experts Baffled by Pelicans Flocking to Michigan Waters

Michigan is known for its migratory birds that fly south for the winter and return triumphantly every spring to wake you up with their songs (or annoying pecking if you're unfortunate enough to get a woodpecker nearby). Even a few birds fly north to spend the winter here. But generally, we all have a pretty good idea of what birds we see around.

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So when a bird you've probably only seen in Finding Nemo is suddenly spotted very close to home, it'll turn heads. That's why when American Pelicans were seen over the weekend, it went viral on Facebook.

Where Pelicans Typically Live

The American White Pelican is known for its big beak, wingspan, white plumage, and long neck. If that sounds like a lot of things to be known for, that just emphasizes how recognizable this bird is. The pelican's unique way of hunting is by opening its large mouth halfway in the water and letting fish swim.

READ MORE: Michigan’s Toughest Birds: Who Stays North in the Winter? |

These birds spend most of their time on the southern and western coasts during the winter, but they can go as north as Minnesota and east as British Columbia/California during the summer months. So, how unusual is it to see these birds around Michigan?

How Rare Are Pelicans In Michigan?

Many people on Facebook, like Meteorologist Chris Vickers, were initially shocked to see these incredible birds in places like Gun Lake in Barry County. However, many people in the comments were quick to point out that this has become a common phenomenon over the years. 

The National Audubon Society has noticed more and more pelicans migrating east, stumping experts as to why these birds have chosen areas around the Great Lakes as a new stop on their migratory routes. Pelicans are highly migratory birds, choosing to go wherever the food is. Michigan has plenty of fish for the pelicans to consume, but why pelicans are stopping here is still not entirely known.

Anytime a new predator like this arrives in a different environment, there are fears that it can disrupt the ecosystem. This hasn't happened so far, but if the pelicans continue to frequent Michigan, it may become a bigger problem.