About this episode

This episode explores the migration, breeding, and conservation challenges of American White Pelicans with expert Dr. Aimee Van Tatenhove.

For years I've watched American White Pelicans migrate through Kansas by the thousands and wondered what we really know about them. Where do they come from? How far do they travel? How do they breed? And what exactly are they doing when they're soaring thousands of feet overhead? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Aimee Van Tatenhove, a quantitative ecologist and former pelican researcher whose doctoral work focused on American White Pelicans around the Great Salt Lake. We discuss pelican migration, nesting colonies, feeding behavior, GPS tracking, bird strikes, avian flu, and some of the surprising things scientists have learned by following these birds across North America. We also dive into the challenges facing the Great Salt Lake, including drought, water management, the proposed data center controversy, and why the future of the lake matters to millions of migratory birds. Topics discussed: American White Pelican migration routes GPS tracking and pelican research Breeding colonies and nesting behavior Cooperative feeding and hunting strategies Bird strikes and aviation concerns Avian influenza impacts on waterbirds Great Salt Lake conservation challenges Drought, water…

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