Young pelicans look much like the adults but have a gray patch on the neck and the back of the head. Their eyes are usually brown while the eyes of adult pelicans are orange-yellow. Many times White Pelicans are mistaken for whooping cranes or snow geese. These birds fly with outstretched necks while the pelicans double their neck into their body when in flight. The pelican's bright orange feet and yellow bill distinguishes it from other birds.
Pelicans fly in a V formation.
They are clumsy on land but graceful in flight. They often soar on warm wind currents where they rise to great heights. White Pelicans feed at the mouths of rivers and creeks in spring where the water is shallow. When the ice melts, more feeding areas open. They feed mainly on fish.