White pelicans, thought to be a rarity in northern Alabama, have returned for the third consecutive winter to reside at Elk River. In a photo taken by river resident Penne Laubenthal, the graceful birds glide en masse across the river. Laubenthal said residents now await the pelicans’ return each year.

White pelicans, thought to be a rarity in northern Alabama, have returned for the third consecutive winter to reside at Elk River.

River resident Penne Laubenthal said residents now await the pelicans’ return each year. The birds typically stay several weeks and in 2011 did not leave until mid-March.

Laubenthal said the birds catch food by corralling fish, as seen in the accompanying photo.

“Some of the pelicans round up the fish and others dive. Then they switch places. It is highly cooperative behavior. We could take a lesson from them,” Laubenthal said.

She believes the pelicans like the shallow water and abundance of fish on the Elk River. When they do leave, it is likely to breed, she said. “When they are about to leave, the breeding horns start to appear — on both male and female. Last year when they stayed so late, the breeding horns were quite apparent.”