My Generation: Birds
-
Dexter the brown pelican at the National Aviary.
Share with others:
This is one of a series presented by the National Aviary, America's bird zoo. The National Aviary works to inspire a respect for nature through an appreciation of birds.
If you've visited an ocean beach, you may have been treated to the sight of a brown pelican soaring just above the water in search of fish. You may have even seen them dive down into the water and emerge with their catch. You may not know, however, that brown pelicans are the only species of pelican that hunts for food in this way.
While other pelicans simply scoop up their meal while floating on the surface or standing in shallow water, a brown pelican plunges into the water from heights as great as 60 feet. Next, it scoops small surface-schooling fish into its huge pouch, which can hold up to three gallons. Then it resurfaces, drains the water from its pouch, and immediately tips its head back to toss the wriggling fish down its throat.
Feeding this way has its drawbacks. Gulls have learned that the pelican process of catch-hold-toss offers the opportunity for a free meal if they move quickly. It is not unusual for a gull to perch on a pelican's back or head and attempt to nab a fish right out of the pelican's pouch.
Although once again common along the Atlantic and Pacific coastlines of the Americas, brown pelicans were once endangered in the United States due to the use of the pesticide DDT. Unlike most birds, which warm their eggs with their bodies, pelicans incubate by stretching their webbed feet over their eggs. Because DDT causes the thinning of egg shells, pelican parents would often crack their eggs during the incubation process. Since the banning of DDT, brown pelican populations have rebounded steadily. However, because they nest colonially along coastlines, they will always be susceptible to harm from oil spills such as the one that occurred along the Gulf Coast in 2010.
The National Aviary is home to two brown pelicans, Dexter and Ralph. You can see them demonstrate their pelican fish toss technique during daily feedings in the Wetlands exhibit. Call or check the National Aviary website for details.
First Published October 5, 2011 12:00 am
