You can find pelicans in many coastal areas of Guatemala but easiest place to photograph them is at AutoSafari Chapin

Two species of Pelicans can be found on the ocean coasts of Guatemala

American White Pelican, Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos White pelican Auto Safari Chapin Aug 24 2015 SM 8047

Pelecanus occidentalis Brown pelican Auto Safari Chapin Aug 24 2015 SM 8042

“White pelicans” have light gray feathers with black tips. But there are also grayish-black pelicans.

Pelicans can be studied at AutoSafari Chapin, Guatemala

There are several ponds, lagoons, creeks and one good-sized lake on the extensive property of AutoSafari Chapin. The largest lake is filled with happy groups of white pelicans. To zoologists and ornithologists this bird is known as the American White Pelican, Pelecanus erythrorhynchos.

Auto Safari Chapin

After you drive through each separate area, you arrive at an ample parking lot. From here you can walk to the restaurant, swimming pool, and the lake area. Every 10 minutes or so a boat leaves the dock to take you around the laguna.

If you are a group of biology students or a team of zoologists, you can ask in advance for your own boat captain so you can spend more time with specific animals. There are iguanas and spider monkeys on each island and pelicans both on the islands and swimming around the lagoon.

Posted late August 2015
after our umpteenth educational research visit to AutoSafari Chapin