Sibley puts the timing of the knob at February to June. We don’t usually get to
see them on our wintering birds.
Sent slowly from Phillip Kite's iPhone
On Mar 1, 2021, at 6:44 PM, Phillip Kite <lubbockite1@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
According to the Wikipedia article on American White Pelican, “In the
breeding season, there is a laterally flattened "horn" on the upper bill,
located about one-third the bill's length behind the tip. This is the only
one of the eight species of pelican to have a bill "horn". The horn is shed
after the birds have mated and laid their eggs. “
Logic dictates that if the knob is shed after breeding, at some point it
grows back. The bare parts also get more brightly colored during breeding
season. So, who knows? This is the the time of year when birds start moving
around and putting on their breeding finery. Part of what makes birding fun.
Sent slowly from Phillip Kite's iPhone