This is called a totipalmate foot. The pelican diet consists mostly of fish, but they do eat crustaceans. Gull and pelican tracks. Quarter in middle of picture for size comparison. Pelicans nest in colonies during March and April.
Nests can be in trees, shrubs, or on the ground.
Nests in trees are built of sticks, grasses and other materials. On the ground, the nests are built of feather and mounds of dirt. Pelicans lay 2 or 3 eggs, which are chalky white. Incubation lasts between 28 and 30 days. The young who are born in ground nests are able to walk out of the nest at about 35 days.