Like many of Sanibel's residents, White Pelicans are actually snowbirds to the area. 

 

They are arguably the longest bird native to North America, in close competition with the trumpeter swan.

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And speaking of competition, it places second in North American bird wingspan, after the Californian Condor, with an average wing span of 95-120".

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Although they only weigh between 11-20 pounds, they stand nearly 4 feet tall when fully mature.  Apart from a difference in size, males and females look exactly alike.

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Like true party animals, American white pelicans prefer to come together as a group to eat.  Contrary to the brown pelicans, white pelicans don't dive for food - instead grabbing a bite while they swim.  (Don't tell the lifeguards!)