Get Our Newsletter

White Pelicans Return to Florida – The Ultimate Snowbirds

Last Updated on February 6, 2024

Imagine seeing exquisite large birds glide gracefully along the shoreline just inches above the water. If you weren’t looking through binoculars, you’d think you were watching a flock of swans. However, these beautiful birds are Florida white pelicans.

Welcome Back to Florida, White Pelicans

Distinctive with snowy white feathers and also pink tangerine colored bills, they are often seen flying and swimming in groups. They avoid open water and prefer isolated areas, congregating close together while remaining less social than their cousin, the brown pelican.

Photo of two white pelicans on the water
Florida’s white pelicans 

There are plenty of things to love about Florida. When the white pelicans arrive, they are thought by many to be one of the most spectacular sights to behold. Much like spotting other Florida wildlife (such as dolphins or manatees), they often elicit similar shrieks of delight.

When do white pelicans migrate to Florida?

White pelicans arrive in the fall and stay until late spring. So, now is a great time to start spotting them.

Photo of brown pelicans on the water
Brown pelicans are more common in Florida

One of the state’s most iconic images is of the brown pelican. They are often spotted on boat docks, concrete pilings, and nesting on mangrove islands. It is right up there with sunshine, beaches, and also palm trees.

Brown pelicans float near fish-cleaning tables and waddle along piers and also docks. They are also known for their acrobatic plunges. It is more like a “dive-bomb” headfirst into the water where they fill their spacious bills with a fresh catch.

White pelicans usually find safer, less traveled environments, such as estuaries, lakes, mangrove islands — often within protected areas.

How do white pelicans collect food?

If you are able to get close enough to white pelicans, you’ll also notice their unique food collection techniques. Working as a team, they collectively herd their prey, fluffing their wings to assemble and also gather the fish.

Photo of a flock of pelicans on the water
White pelicans collectively herd their prey

One of the largest birds in all of North America, they also possess an impressive nine-foot wingspan. In flight, their black wing tips are revealed (folded under while they are swimming) as they fly gracefully in formation.

These snowbirds are seen throughout the state. There are many known (and lesser-known) places where you are likely to find white pelicans. Since they frequent less traveled places, you may want to go with a local eco-tour operator. They often know exactly where to find them.

Photo of a group of pelicans
White pelicans are shyer in nature than the brown pelican

Where can you see white pelicans?

Several Authentic Florida readers have also shared the locations they have spotted these elusive white creatures.

White Pelican,

Depending on where you are in the state, here are some recommended places for viewing:

North Florida Locations

Central Florida Locations

White Pelicans are often seen in and around protected waterways and various lakes throughout Central Florida.

  • Keaton Beach (south of Perry, on the Big Bend)
  • Gainesville area – Newnans Lake, Lake Wauburg (Check out: Ten Awesome Things To Do in Gainesville)
  • Cedar Key’s Barrier Islands (Check out: Old Florida Charm: Authentic Cedar Key)
  • Ocala – Tuscawilla Park (Check out: Oh, Ocala!)
  • The Villages (retention ponds), Umatilla
  • Brockville – Mountain Lake
  • Homosassa Springs, Crystal River & Ozello – Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park (Check out: Swim with a Manatee and Experience Authentic Crystal River, the Soul of Florida)
  • New Smyrna Beach – Turnbull Bay (near U.S. 1 Bridges)
  • Oak Hill – Goodrich Seafood Restaurant, Mosquito Lagoon
  • Orlando – Lake Fairview, Loch Haven, downtown (Ivanhoe Village)
  • Eustis – Lake Eustis
  • Apopka – Lake Apopka
  • Ft. Pierce – Ft. Pierce Inlet
  • Titusville – Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (Start at the Visitor’s Center)
  • Melbourne – Viera Wetlands
  • Vero Beach and Sebastian – Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge
  • Tampa – Hillsborough River State Park
  • Zephyrhills – Zephyrhills Park
  • Pinellas County – Fort De Soto Park
  • Lakeland – Circle B Bar Reserve, Lake Morton, Lake Mirror, and Lake Hollingsworth
  • Winter Haven – Lake Howard
  • Kenansville – Lake Marian
  • Bartow – Mary Holland Park
  • Lake Wales – Lake Kissimmee State Park
  • Lakeland – Lake Morton
  • Tampa Bay – Shell Key Reserve
  • St. Petersburg – Fort DeSoto County Park
Photo of white pelicans in Cortez Village
White pelicans, Cortez Village, Star Fish Company Restaurant

South Florida Locations

You’re likely to find white pelicans within lagoons, harbors, or protected areas where they usually take refuge from crowds.

  • Bradenton – Cortez Village (off the Star Fish Company or also Cortez Kitchen), Robinson Preserve, Anna Maria Island (bayside) (Check out: Get Authentic on Anna Maria Island & Cortez Village)
  • Sarasota– Myakka River State Park, Sarasota Bay, Jim Neville Marine Preserve, Tidy Island in Sarasota Bay (Check out: Ten Awesome Things To Do in Sarasota)
  • St. Pete Beach – Fort De Soto Park
  • Placida, Gasparilla Island (Boca Grande) – Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserve/Gasparilla Sound/White Pelican Island (see below)
  • Punta Gorda – Alligator Creek Preserve
  • Pine Island – Matlacha, Bokeelia (Pine Island Sound)
  • Sanibel Island – J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge
  • North Captiva Island
  • Cayo Costa State Park
  • Marco Island, Cape Romano
  • Naples – Naples Pier
  • Everglades City – 10,000 Islands, Chokoloskee
  • Everglades National Park -Flamingo Outpost (Check out: Exploring the Extraordinary Florida Everglades)
  • Islamorada, Florida Keys – Robbie’s Marina
  • Cudjoe Key, Florida Keys – Blimp Road
  • Key West – Sandbar between Ballast Key and also Boca Grande (Check out: Enjoy a Fun-Filled Weekend In Authentic Key West)
Photo of a group of white pelicans
White Pelican Island, Gasparilla Sound

White Pelican Island (Gasparilla Sound)

You can see White Pelican Island on Florida’s west coast, near Placida. The Island has the largest population of white pelicans in the southeastern United States. It is located within the Gasparilla Sound.

It is part of the Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserve (stretching from Sanibel Island to Englewood along Florida’s southwest coast). This “liquid park” also serves as a protected environment for sea life, fish nurseries, and also bird rookeries.

How to see white pelicans at White Pelican Island:

The best (and only) viewing of white pelicans at White Pelican Island is by boat. One of the local outfitters, Boca Boats also provides cruises that include a view of the island. You do not have to take a boat to see white pelicans.

Often times you can still find white pelicans by heading to the fishing pier at Boca Grande Causeway. You can pull off just before the toll bridge and park. Walk out on the fishing pier to view the white pelicans swimming nearby.

Photo of the Charlotte Preserve
View from Placida with pelicans off in the distance

Wherever you are – this is the time of year when you can start to see white pelicans. They are only here thru the Spring, so be sure to plan an outing in the near future. You will be a little awestruck by these magnificent winged creatures.

Yep, just one more reason to love authentic Florida.

White Pelicans, Placida, Best Places in Florida to See White Pelicans

Florida White Pelican Rescues

Sometimes Florida White Pelicans can be in distress. While some are able to be released to the wild again, not all can. You can visit pelicans at some of the rescue organizations listed below.

  • Pelican Preserve – Sea World Orlando – Sea World works to rehabilitate animals when possible. However, some pelicans will stay in their care because it is unsafe to release them into the wild. See the pelicans in their care by purchasing a park ticket.
  • Seaside Seabird SanctuarySeaside is home to Nigel. Nigel can no longer fly. Because of this, he will be staying at the sanctuary. You can see Nigel with free admission. Donations are appreciated.
  • Clearwater Marine Aquarium – Clearwater Marine Aquarium works hard to rehab animals when possible. However, they do have resident white pelicans who can’t be released. You can see them with admission to the attraction.

Where do white pelicans migrate?

American White Pelican migration map

You can find the American white pelican based on the map above. Yellow represents migration. Blue represents nonbreeding.

Purple represents where they live year-round. The red color represents the breeding area.

“Resident to medium-distance migrant. Northern breeding populations migrate to southern California, the Gulf States, Mexico, and Central America. Populations breeding in Texas and Mexico are resident.”

Florida White Pelicans Map

13 thoughts on “White Pelicans Return to Florida – The Ultimate Snowbirds”

  1. i live on Lake Mattoon Illinois have had a pod of white pelicans here for a month now and a small pod is still here. they r beautiful!!

    Reply
  2. The Snow Birds are in our pond in Riverview Florida. They are so beautiful and I am watching their behavior.
    They swim together and kind of push the ducks and egress away.
    We have at least 15 in the pond now.

    Reply
  3. We have seen up to 16-20 beautiful white pelicans in the lake between Heritage Isle and the Duran Golf Course lately. They are a sight to behold!

    Reply
    • Thanks for sharing that with us! It’s always such a joy to spot white pelicans! We believe it’s good luck. ; )

      Reply
    • They have come every year to our retention pond behind our house in Viera, a few miles from the wetlands. They are so beautiful, I love seeing them.

      Reply

Leave a Comment