Brown Pelicans are my heroes! They’re the true representation of “the come-back kids'” having become close to extinct in North America in the 1950s and 1960s due to the heavy use of harmful pesticides with DDT in them. The brown pelicans incubate their eggs by lying or standing on their eggs with their feet and as their egg shells became extremely thin as a result of the DDT, eventually all eggs would crack leaving no pelican chicks to raise. Over 40 years later colonies of brown pelicans have reappeared and we now see these sometimes laughable birds enjoying life in North America again. I just love their antics!!
The incredibly beautiful photo used in this blog post was taken by Sandy Scott, nature enthusiast among other great things, but I will allow him to introduce himself through his remarks below. And, thanks, Sandy, for my newly gained factoids about one of my favorite and entertaining birds!!!
This maneuver happens so quickly that I was never aware of the technique they used until I stopped the action with my camera. Just prior to hitting the water, they tuck in their heads, rotate to the left and then land upside down. Interestingly, the reason for that left turn is that the bird’s trachea and esophagus are both located on the right side and the left turn technique protects vital parts from being damaged on impact. There is one other physiological feature of the bird that helps protect it during its high speed fishing dives. They have air sacs throughout their bodies that not only help cushion them on impact, but also enhance their buoyancy in the water. Because of these numerous air sacs throughout the body, pelicans are much lighter than they appear.”
What's Your Passion?
National Audubon Society
Help support the efforts of our National Audubon Society in conservation of natural bird habitats. Visit: www.birds.audubon.org