Anaho Island NWR Wildlife


Anaho Island Pelican Colony, Credit: USFWS	Pelicans in Flight at Anaho Island NWR, Credit: USFWS	Pelicans and Cormorants on Anaho Island NWR, Credit: USFWS

Anaho Island NWR Home Page

Stillwater NWR Complex Home Page

The island supports one of the largest breeding colonies of American white pelicans in the western United States. In recent years, between 8,000 and 10,000 pelicans have returned to Anaho Island during the spring from their wintering areas in Southern California and Baja, Mexico. These fish-eating birds rely on the spring spawning runs of Pyramid Lake fish as well as the numerous shallow lakes and wetlands within 70 miles of the island, primarily the Lahontan Valley and Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge. The island also provides nesting habitat for Double crested cormorants, California gulls, Great blue herons, Black-crowned night herons, and occasionally Caspian terns.

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Last updated: June 25, 2008