Pelicans are my favorite birds. They do so many cool things. They are characterized by a long beak and a large throat pouch used for catching prey and draining water from the scooped-up contents before swallowing.
The eight living pelican species have a patchy, seasonally-dependent yet global distribution, ranging from the tropics to the temperate zone. Pelicans are absent from interior Amazonian South America, from polar regions and the open ocean; at least one species is known to migrate to the inland desert of Australia's Red Centre, after heavy rains create temporary lakes. White pelicans are also observed at the American state of Utah's Great Salt Lake, for example, some 600 miles from the nearest coastline (the Pacific West Coast). They have also been seen hundreds of miles inland in North America, having flown northwards along the Mississippi River and other large waterways.
They feed principally on fish, diving into the water and catching them at or near the water's surface.
My favorite thing to observe with these birds is them flying in formation. They fly low, inches above the water, wings sometimes tapping the surface. Watching them navigate this distance over, around and along waves is quite fun.
Fossil evidence of pelicans dates back at least 36 million years.
The bills, pouches, and bare facial skin of all pelicans become brightly coloured before the breeding season.
They are less than elegant in their take-off and water landings. Which also makes them fun to watch. I can sit for hours on the beach, with a pair of binoculars, and observe these characters and their antics.
I believe this guy is drying his wings after a food dive. I hope you enjoyed my favorite birds!
Add comment
Comments
Wonderful Pelican pictures, as always. But, that photo #5 of the diving pelican ! ! Whoa! Now THAT’S quite the photo. Congratulations! 👏👏👏
Hi Vicki! These are great! I agree about photo #5–especially the webbed feet. Very cool.
I grew up (as you know) in SW Montana seeing large flocks of white pelicans each summer. They hang out in rivers fishing for rainbow trout just like their competition, those pesky fly fishing humans! Of course, the pelicans don’t follow the “catch and release” rule.
Love love love!!!
These photos are wonderful Vicki, especially #5, of the “headless “ pelican. Thank you for sharing your beautiful images!
Wonderful birds to enjoy and another excellent blog! Love the variety of photos. My fav is the Roadrunner, but probably because I get to observe them almost daily and feel like I know them.