Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis.
Brown Pelican. Pelecanus occidentalis.
Size: lenght, 3,5-4,5; wingspan, 7 ft.
What to look for; large, bulky bird with large, bulky bi...
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Brown Pelican. Pelecanus occidentalis.
Size: lenght, 3,5-4,5; wingspan, 7 ft.
What to look for; large, bulky bird with large, bulky bill; gray-brown body; whitish head; red-brown neck with white stripe (breding); flies with alternative flaps and glides.
Habitat: usually in ocean or brackish water.
The brown Pelican sights its prey while in flight, then dives with bill closed and enters the water in a burst of spray. At that moment it lifts its upper mandible and opens its pouch outward, forming a scoop. Once the fish is safe inside - along with water twice the weight of the bird - the bill shuts, and the pelican bobs to the surface. The bird may take less than 2 seconds to make its catch. A minute or so may pass while it floats with bill pointed downwards, evidently waiting for water to drain out so it can swallow the fish. Louisiana is somtimes called the Pelican State, although the pelican population in that state has been drastically depleted.
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Size: lenght, 3,5-4,5; wingspan, 7 ft.
What to look for; large, bulky bird with large, bulky bill; gray-brown body; whitish head; red-brown neck with white stripe (breding); flies with alternative flaps and glides.
Habitat: usually in ocean or brackish water.
The brown Pelican sights its prey while in flight, then dives with bill closed and enters the water in a burst of spray. At that moment it lifts its upper mandible and opens its pouch outward, forming a scoop. Once the fish is safe inside - along with water twice the weight of the bird - the bill shuts, and the pelican bobs to the surface. The bird may take less than 2 seconds to make its catch. A minute or so may pass while it floats with bill pointed downwards, evidently waiting for water to drain out so it can swallow the fish. Louisiana is somtimes called the Pelican State, although the pelican population in that state has been drastically depleted.
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Nov, 2016Views
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Awards
Peer Award
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Outstanding Creativity
Superb Composition
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