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Brown Pelican

Pelecanus occidentalis

Description:

These brown pelicans are fishing in the surf. They fly close to the surface looking for fish. When they spot a fish they quickly gain altitude and then dive into the water to catch the fish. The brown pelicans fly to a considerable height over a school of fish and then dive at a high speed into the water, often completely submerging itself below the surface as it quickly snaps up its prey before it can swim away. The pelican then comes back to the surface and spills the water out of its throat pouch that had been caught in the plunge and then throw back their head to swallow the prey.

Habitat:

The Brown Pelican lives on both coasts in the Americas. On the Atlantic Coast and Gulf Coast they distribute from Nova Scotia to Venezuela, and to the mouth of the Amazon River. Along the Atlantic, they are usually less common north of the Carolinas, with a considerable population in much of the Gulf of Mexico. On the Pacific Ocean they are found from British Columbia to south central Chile, and including the Galapagos Islands. In the Pacific, they are fairly common along the coast of California, Mexico and Central America. Some immature birds may stray to inland freshwater lakes. After nesting, North American birds move in flocks further north along the coasts, returning to warmer waters for winter.

Notes:

About Bolivar Flats: Approximately 140,000 shorebirds, representing 37 species use Bolivar Flats for both feeding and roosting. The area also serves as a year- round roost for gulls and terns; a feeding area for herons and egrets, a wintering site for the American White Pelican, and a wintering site for several species of waterfowl. The federally endangered species brown pelican and peregrine falcon are other important species using the flats for roosting and feeding. The adjacent salt marsh hosts clapper rails, seaside sparrow, and sharp-tailed sparrow. Black Skimmers and Least terns attempt to nest on the flats every year, but usually are not successful because of vehicular traffic. The huge bird population is largely supported by Bolivar Flats' rich, benthic infauna. Polychaet worms are the most abundant benthic animals. Shorebird use is highest in the winter and in early spring. Dunlin, Western Sandpipers, Short-billed Dowitcher, and American Avocet are the most abundant winter shorebirds. Willets and Wilson's Plovers nest at the site. Willets, Black-bellied Plovers, and Sanderlings occur all year. The area is also one of the most important wintering sites for the threatened Piping Plover.

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ronfellows2020
Spotted by
ronfellows2020

Texas, USA

Spotted on Sep 25, 2012
Submitted on Sep 30, 2012

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Reference

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