<< Previous Next >>

Brown Pelican


Brown Pelican
Photo Information
Copyright: Manyee Desandies (manyee) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3067 W: 231 N: 6165] (21068)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-04-24
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon Powershot S3 IS
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-11-04 17:13
Viewed: 181
Points: 12
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Brown Pelican
Pelecanus occidentalis

Grand gosier, Pélican brun (French)
Alcatraz, Pelícano café, Pelícano pardo (Spanish)

Unique among the world's seven species of pelicans, the Brown Pelican is found along the ocean shores and not on inland lakes. It is the only dark pelican, and also the only one that plunges from the air into the water to catch its food.

Description:
Large, dark waterbird.
Long bill with extensible pouch.
Legs short.
Body large and heavy.
Feet webbed.
Wings long and broad.
Tail short.
Soars close to water surface.
Dives from the air into the water.
Size: 100-137 cm (39-54 in)
Wingspan: 200 cm (79 in)
Weight: 2000-5000 g (70.6-176.5 ounces)
Sexes look alike; males slightly larger.

Sound:
Generally silent away from nesting colony. Nestling squawks for food; adults have low, hoarse display calls.

Conservation Status:
Shooting for feathers and to "protect" fishing caused declines in pelican populations in the first half of the 20th century. Pesticide poisoning, especially by DDT, caused severe declines across the range in the late 1950's and the extirpation from Louisiana ("the pelican state"). It was listed as Endangered throughout the range in 1970. The ban on DDT led to a population recovery, and it was removed from the Endangered Species list in Atlantic Coast states in 1985. Breeding numbers in most states are stable or increasing, and the total population in the United States now exceeds historical levels.

Cool Facts:

While the Brown Pelican is draining the water from its bill after a dive, gulls often try to steal the fish right out of its pouch. They sometimes even perch on the pelican's head or back and reach in. The pelican itself, however, is not above stealing fish from other seabirds. It also follows fishing boats and hangs around piers for handouts.
The Brown Pelican frequently lowers its 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.
Unlike most birds, which warm their eggs with the skin of their breasts, pelicans incubate their eggs with their feet. They hold the eggs under the webs that stretch from the front toes to the hind toe, essentially standing on the eggs to warm them. This peculiar incubation method made them vulnerable to the effects of the pesticide DDT. The DDT made the eggshells thin, and the incubating parents frequently cracked their eggs.

Source
nasokoun, horias, marius-secan has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
None
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

Hallo Manyee
This is really a beautiful bird with its huge and broad bill. The yellow tip on the edge is very striking. I like the way you captured it from the side, as it shows clear detail of the pelican's profile, and the overall size of the bird. The greyish paws, big black eye and the swanky crest is very adoreable. A pleasing image with great focus, sharpness and point of view. Thanks for sharing. Best regards.
Anna

hello Manyee
this is a typical pose of a pelican,who show us the splendid beauty of this bird,even if the light is not the best,the colors are very fine and the details great,as great is the photo!
keep on photographing! TFS
Nasos

I like verry much this pelican and yours picture is great.Congratulations.Alin.

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2395 W: 94 N: 5542] (17634)
  • [2009-11-05 8:54]

Hello Manyee,
Great photo of this Brown Pelican in excellent sharpness and details in the whole bird. Nice natural colours. Good low POV, DOF and composition. Pleasing eye contact.
Regards,
Peter

Manyee
Great and wonderful pelican!
Great details and colors!
Horia

Hello Manyee,
Excellent details and colours of this Brown Pelican.
Very good sharpness and composition.
Marius.

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF