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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)
The brown pelican, also called American brown pelican or common pelican, inhabits the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf Coasts of North and South America. On the Atlantic Coast, they can be found from Virginia south to the mouth of the Amazon River in Brazil; on the Pacific, they range from central California to south-central Chile and the Galapagos Islands; and on the Gulf of Mexico, they are found in Alabama, Louisiana, and Texas. They are rarely seen either inland or far out at sea.
The pouch suspended from the lower half of the pelican's long, straight bill really can hold up to three times more than the stomach. In addition to being used as a dipnet, the pouch holds the pelican's catch of fish until the accompanying water (as much as 3 gallons) is squeezed out. During this time, laughing gulls often hover above pelicans, or even sit on their bills, ready to steal a fish or two. Once the water is out, the pelican then swallows the fish and carries them in its esophagus. The pouch also serves as a cooling mechanism in hot weather, and as a feeding trough for young pelicans.
At 42 to 54 inches long, weighing 8 to 10 pounds, and with a 6 1/2- to 7 1/2-foot wingspan, brown pelicans are the smallest members of the pelican family (there are seven species of pelican worldwide). They can be identified by their chestnut-and-white necks; white heads with pale yellow crowns; brown-streaked back, rump, and tail; blackish-brown belly; grayish bill and pouch; and black legs and feet.
Pelicans are primarily fish eaters, and require up to 4 pounds of fish a day. Their diet consists mainly of "rough" fish -- species considered unimportant commercially. This includes menhaden, herring, sheepshead, pigfish, mullet, grass minnows, top minnows, and silversides. Brown pelicans have also been known to eat some crustaceans, usually prawns.
For more info on the brown pelican go to : http://www.fws.gov/species/species_accounts/bio_plcn.html
This picture was taken in the Tampa Bay area while taking the Dolphin Quest tour.
Tampa Bay is home to over 400 bottle nose dolphins (we didn't see much of the dolphins though, mostly pelican & ibis), and the Florida Aquarium offers an exciting and unique way to get up close and personal with them. All you need is a few bucks and a sense of adventure and you can spend several hours viewing aquatic wildlife on Tampa Bay.
Dolphin Quest is sponsored and run by the Florida Aquarium in partnership with the Tampa Port Authority aboard a 64ft catamaran named Bay Spirit. The tour takes you into Tampa Bay where you will see numerous aquatic birds, dolphins endangered manatees and other abundant marine life.
As it was among my first try with flying bird... oups I cut a wing... I could have add the missing part in PS but want to show my near missed shot... If someone wants to take some time and add it, go ahead !!! |
wallhalla15, scottevers7 has marked this note useful
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