brown pelican

Description:

The brown pelican plunges into water headfirst and comes to surface with fish in bill. Tilts bill down to drain water out of pouch, then tosses head back to swallow. An amazing thing to watch. Eats almost entirely fish. They will scavenge at times and will become tame, approaching fishermen for handouts. Apparently this was the case with the pelicans that were hanging around the restaurant and boat dock.

Habitat:

Salt bays, beaches, ocean. Mostly over shallow waters along immediate coast, especially on sheltered bays; sometimes seen well out to sea. These pelicans were spotted at a restaurant and boat dock in Crystal river, florida.