McArthur Lake pelicans' temporary home

The presence of American white pelicans in North Idaho is becoming more and more common, including at McArthur Lake where about 20 have been made their temporary home for four weeks.

“I think they used to a lot more rare,” said Colleen Trese, habitat biologist with Idaho Department of Fish and Game who oversees the lake and Boundary Creek.

Trese explained that pelicans are like nomads before they begin breeding at age 3.

“I think they’re immature and traveling,” Trese said. “They will stick in one area for a couple weeks to two months.”

Before they begin breeding, the pelicans are more nomadic. So she assumes the birds on McArthur Lake were last year’s young or are 2 years old.

“Throughout the summer they will be in groups,” Trese said. “They are a social bird and travel in groups from feeding area to feeding area.”

While at McArthur, the birds feed on trout and perch, she said.

Pelicans also have been spotted on lakes Pend Oreille and Coeur d’Alene.

There is a breeding population of the American white pelican in southern Idaho. The birds are colonial nesters and usually have nests on the ground on islands and peninsulas, Trese said.

The birds will continue to be nomadic before flying to Mexico or the California coast for the winter.