The American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) is native to North America, primarily found across countries such as the United States and Canada. The species is notably prevalent in the central and western parts of these countries, including areas like the prairie provinces of Canada and the Great Basin regions of the United States. During winter, they migrate to the southern United States, Mexico, and Central America, especially along coastal and inland waters.

American White Pelicans primarily inhabit shallow freshwater lakes, rivers, marshes, and inland and coastal wetlands. They prefer areas with abundant fish, which is a staple of their diet. These pelicans require open water for foraging and remote, undisturbed islands for nesting and breeding. The typical climate of their habitat ranges from temperate to subtropical regions, depending on the season, with cold winters in northern breeding areas and warm climates in southern wintering grounds.

As piscivores, American White Pelicans play a significant role in controlling fish populations within their habitats. They often feed cooperatively, herding fish into shallow waters before scooping them up in their large bills. Their ecological niche entails not only being a top piscivore in freshwater ecosystems but also being an essential part of the nutrient cycle, contributing to the aquatic ecosystem through their droppings which support plankton growth, thus impacting the broader food web.