The pelican is certainly a unique and interesting bird. With its large bill and expandable throat pouch, the pelican has some odd physical characteristics that make it stand out from other avian species. In this article, we’ll explore what makes the pelican such a fascinating bird.
What do pelicans look like?
Pelicans are very large birds, with wingspans ranging from 8-11 feet across depending on the species. They have short legs and webbed feet for swimming. Their most distinctive feature is their huge bill, which has a hook at the end and a stretchy pouch underneath. This bill and pouch allow pelicans to scoop up fish while swimming.
Pelicans come in white, brown, gray, and pink varieties. The white pelican is the most widespread species, found throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. White pelicans have mainly white plumage with black flight feathers on their wings. The brown pelican is found in coastal regions of North and South America. Brown pelicans are darker in color, with a white head and neck.
Male and female pelicans look alike. Their plumage changes somewhat between breeding and nonbreeding seasons. During breeding season the colors become more vivid, with yellowish hues on the head and bright red or orange on the pouch. The feathers on the back of the neck may stand upright as well.
Where do pelicans live?
Pelicans inhabit coastal areas on every continent except Antarctica. They are found on seashores, lakes, rivers, and estuaries. Different species prefer different habitats:
- Brown pelicans live exclusively in marine habitats along coastlines.
- White pelicans prefer freshwater lakes and rivers as well as estuaries.
- The pink-backed pelican lives around African lakes and rivers.
- The grey pelican is found on the coasts of Peru and Chile in South America.
Pelicans require abundant food sources, so they favor productive marine and freshwater ecosystems. They rarely venture more than 20 miles from shore. Pelicans also need undisturbed nesting sites, such as small islands or secluded beaches.
What do pelicans eat?
Pelicans are piscivores, meaning fish make up the majority of their diet. They also eat amphibians and crustaceans. A pelican’s diet depends on its habitat and which fish species are available.
Coastal brown pelicans mainly eat ‘bait fish’ like herring, mullet, anchovies, sardines, and mackerel. Freshwater white pelicans eat trout, perch, bass, minnows, and suckers. The Peruvian pelican feeds on anchovies, sardines, and squid off the Pacific coast of South America.
To catch fish, pelicans plunge-dive head first into the water from heights of up to 60 feet. They trap fish in their elastic throat pouch, which can hold up to 3 gallons of water and fish. Once the pouch is full, the pelican surfaces and drains out the water before swallowing the fish.
Daily Food Consumption
On average, a pelican eats 4-5 lbs of fish per day. However, they may gorge up to 30 lbs of fish in a single day when food is abundant. Their pouch allows them to stock up on extra fish to save for later.
How do pelicans reproduce?
Pelicans reach sexual maturity between 2-5 years old. The breeding season varies by location, falling between February and August depending on habitat and species. Pelicans form monogamous pairs that may last for a single breeding season up to several years.
Courtship displays involve the male picking up nesting material and arranging it to form a nest platform. The female touches bills with the male in a ‘billing’ display to indicate interest. Once bonded, the pair will copulate on the nest platform.
The female lays 1-4 eggs which both parents incubate for 30 days until hatching. The young pelicans start flying at around 10 weeks old. They stay with their parents for up to 3 months after fledging as they learn to fish and migrate.
Pelicans may live over 25 years in the wild. Lifespan depends on environmental factors like food availability, habitat loss, and storms.
Pelican behaviors
Pelicans display a variety of interesting behaviors and adaptations.
Fishing cooperatively
Brown pelicans often forage for fish together in groups of 10-15 birds. They coordinate their movements to herd fish into dense balls close to the surface. This makes it easier for the pelicans to scoop up multiple fish in a single plunge.
Heat loss through the pouch
White pelicans have bare skin around their throat pouch while other pelicans have feathers. This lack of insulation allows the pouch to shed excess heat that builds up from the fish inside. Blood vessels in the pouch can either constrict to retain heat or dilate to release it as needed.
Salt excretion
Brown pelicans have special glands above their eyes that filter out the salt from the seawater they swallow. The concentrated brine drips from the bill and runs down grooves to the pelican’s nostrils. Powerful sneezes then expel the salt from the nasal cavity.
Floating on water
The air sacs beneath a pelican’s skin give their bodies added buoyancy. Pelicans can rest on the water’s surface, using a swimming motion to orient their feathers against the breeze. This allows them to face into the wind so they can stay in place without drifting.
Threats and conservation
Though pelican populations remain stable overall, certain regional groups face ongoing threats. These include:
- Habitat degradation from human activity
- Disturbance of nesting sites
- Pollution and oil spills
- Reduced fish stocks from overfishing
- Climate change affecting breeding cycles
The brown pelican in particular suffered a severe decline due to pesticide pollution in the 1950s-70s. Its recovery since then is considered one of America’s main conservation success stories. Groups like the Audubon Society continue working to protect crucial pelican habitats around the world.
Interesting pelican facts
- The word “pelican” comes from the ancient Greek word pelekan, meaning “axe”, referring to its bill shape.
- The throat pouch can hold up to 13 litres of water.
- The Dalmatian pelican has the largest wingspan of any pelican at over 11 feet.
- Pelicans can swim at speeds up to 5 mph.
- A group of pelicans in flight is called a squadron.
- The pink-backed pelican is rated Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
- Pelican bills have a curved hook at the end to help grab slippery fish.
- Fossils prove pelicans have remained virtually unchanged for over 30 million years.
Conclusion
Pelicans are amazing birds uniquely adapted for their fish-centric lifestyles. While they may look somewhat ungainly waddling on land, soaring in flight or plunging into waters after prey, they are supremely graceful in their element. Pelicans fill an important niche in coastal and freshwater habitats, and indication of ecosystem health is the abundance of these large, distinctive birds. Though they face some conservation challenges, protecting pelicans and their habitats ensures biodiversity continues thriving for generations to come.