#pelecanidae

A pair of Australian pelicans (Pelecanus conspicillatus) fight over an eel in Northern Tasmania, Australia

American White Pelican (Pelecanus eurythrorhynocus). It's stomach/chest is covered in ice from below freezing temps. Family Pelecanidae, order Pelecaniformes.

Prep No. KHE89

The main muscles that power flight are located in the chest of the bird, but thin tendons connect these muscles to control specific motions of the wings. Though a little morbid, during prep, it’s incredibly educational (and maybe fun…) to experiment with which tendons control which movements.

Who Can? The Brown Pelican!

The brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) is one of eight pelican species in the family Pelecanidae. The bulk of the species reside in the Gulf of Mexico and surrounding coastlines, but they may also be found ranging both the Atlantic and Pacific coastlines of North, Central, and South America, as far north as British Columbia and as far south as the Amazon River. They rarely stray far from the shore, and typically stay in warm coastal waters, estuaries, or mangroves. Most populations are non-migratory, but those that live farther north are known to move south when the weather turns cold.

Although they are the smallest pelican species, brown pelicans are still quite large. Adults sport wingspans of 2.03 to 2.28 m (6 ft 8 in to 7 ft 6 in), and can weigh between 2 to 5 kg (4.4 to 11.0 lb). Males are slightly larger than females. Like all pelicans, P. occidentalis also sports a long bill, reaching up to 34 cm (13.7 in) in length and capable of holding up to 11 L (3 gal) of water. As their name implies, adults are mostly brown, but during the breeding season their plumage turns darker, except for the face and neck which turn yellow and white respectively.

Brown pelicans can breed throughout the year in warmer climates, but breeding typically peaks between September and June. When he is ready to mate, the male selects a nest site in a tree about 1-2 m (3-6 ft) off the ground and performs a dance to attract a female. Once paired, the couple remains monogamous throughout the breeding season, but separate once their chicks have grown. After mating, the female lays a clutch of 3 eggs. She and the male both incubate them for about a month, and continue to care for the chicks until they become fully independent at about 3 months old. Most individuals become fully mature at 3 or 4 years old, and can live anywhere from 10 to 40 years in the wild.

Chicks and juvenile P. occidentalis have a number of predators including gulls, raptors, iguanas, American alligators, racoons, and fish crows. Adults may also fall prey to bald eagles, sea lions, North American river otters, sharks, and humans. Brown pelicans themselves are predators of small fish, especially menhaden, sardines, and anchovies, as well as small marine invertebrates. They are one of only two pelican species that hunt by diving head-first into the water from as high as 21 m (70 ft).

Conservation status: The IUCN has classified the brown pelican as Least Concern. Historically the species was threatened by the use of the pesitide DDT, which caused high egg failure rates, as well as hunting for food and feathers, oil spills, and habitat destruction. However, thanks to intensive conservation efforts the species has made a significant comeback and populations are expected to continue increasing.

Photos

Dan Vickers

Mick Thompson