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Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Unique among the world's seven species of pelicans, the Brown Pelican is found along the ocean shores and on only a few inland lakes in the southwestern U.S. It is the only dark pelican, and also the only one that plunges from the air into the water to catch its food. It commonly lowers it's head onto its shoulders with the bill open, pulls its head back, and stretches the pouch over its throat and neck. The exposed neck looks like a large lump sticking up out of the pouch.
Found in warm coastal marine and estuarine environments.
I think these might be juveniles.
2 Comments
Interesting! I've seen brown pelicans almost every day for most of my life and have never seen this behavior. Thanks for sharing.
Wow! Great pic!