Seven different species of pelicans are known to exist and are found in different parts of the world. With the noteworthy exception of their primarily white coloring, these pelicans share a great deal of similarities in terms of morphological traits. In general, men are typically much bigger than women in terms of physical attributes. The elongated bill of a pelican, which has a large pouch in the throat area, is one of its most distinctive traits. Male Australian pelicans often have longer bills than female counterparts, exhibiting sexual dimorphism in beak length. This species’ bills normally measure between 40 and 50 centimeters in length.
The longer one waits, The length of a Great White Pelican ranges from approximately 1.40 to 1.75 meters, while its wing span ranges from approximately 2.70 to 3.60 meters. They can weigh anything between 5 and 10 kg.
White Pelican males typically have larger bodies than their female counterparts. Additionally, their bills are more elongated and curved downward. The bill of a female is smaller and more pointed than the bill of a man. One more way to distinguish men from females is by looking at the tuft of feathers that develop on the top of the male’s head.
Only the white apexes of the wings exhibit a dusky underside. The pigmentation of the thorax and throat may vary in hue, between pink and yellow, depending on the mating season and the gender of the individual. The facial patch of a reproducing male is distinguished by a pinkish tint, whereas the female’s facial patch exhibits an orange coloration.
When contrasting the morphology of the lower and upper bills, the former demonstrates a yellowish pouch-like structure while the latter exhibits a clear darker line that runs along its upper surface. These organisms have completely webbed digits and compact, robust lower appendages, which enable them to move efficiently through aquatic environments and accomplish takeoff from the surface of the water. The avian species being studied is distinguished by its sturdy wings and its social behavior, which is frequently characterized by the formation of enormous flocks and the adoption of a V-shaped configuration while in flight. The juvenile individuals’ plumage is distinguished by its gray coloration, whereas their wings exhibit a darker hue.
The brown pelican is renowned for being designated the official state bird of Louisiana, in addition to being honored as the national bird of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Saint Martin, Barbados, and Saint Kitts and Nevis. In each of the previously mentioned nations, the flag, coat of arms, or seal are conspicuously present as national symbols.
Habitat of Pelicans
The only continent on which you won’t find these animals is Antarctica, but you’ll find them everywhere else. Even though they favor the mild conditions along the coast or inland waters like lakes and rivers, their range can expand to climates that are considered to be more temperate. They like to congregate on islands whenever it is convenient for them to do so. In addition, pelicans can be seen living in marine and estuarine habitats.
How do you recognize a pelican?
An enormous water bird that is distinguished by having wings that are extremely broad, a long neck, and a gigantic bill that gives the head the appearance of being unusually long. They have stocky bodies, short legs, and square tails that are rather short in comparison to how long their bodies are. Additionally, their legs are not very long. A characteristic projection or horn will grow on the upper mandible of an adult during the breeding season. This projection or horn will be located quite near to the tip of the bill. This takes place around the season of the year when the bird is most likely to be nesting and having young of its own.
What makes a pelican so special?
There are more than six types of pelicans, but they all have the well-known pouch in their mouths. Even though different kinds of these huge birds use their elastic pouches in different ways, they all use them to catch fish.
Do pelicans have teeth in their mouths?
Pelicans do not have teeth, but the distal portion of their beaks has a hooked structure with sharp edges that have the ability to create a laceration similar to a “paper” cut if one were to approach too closely. Pelicans feed on fish and other aquatic organisms.
Types of Pelicans
There are eight different types of pelicans as follows:
- Pelicanus erythrorhynchos
- Australian pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus)
- The brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)
- Dalmatian pelican (Pelecanus crispus)
- The Great White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus)
- The Peruvian pelican (Pelecanus thagus)
- Pink-back pelican (Pelecanus rufescens)
- Spotted-billed pelican (Pelecanus philippensis)
In this article, we will cover only three types of pelicans. Let’s get into it.
- Pelicanus erythrorhynchos, the American white pelican: Pelicans don’t have teeth, but the end of their beaks has a hooked shape with sharp tips that can make a cut like a “paper” cut if someone gets too close. Pelicans eat fish and other animals that live in water.
- Australian pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus): No other avian species on the planet possesses a larger pink beak than the one under consideration. The distinctive features of this bird are its white feathers and contrasting dark wings, which contribute to its conspicuous appearance. Irrespective of its nomenclature, this species is also found in New Zealand, Fiji, and Indonesia.
- The brown pelican, scientifically known as Pelecanus occidentalis, holds significance as the state bird of Louisiana and the national bird of Barbados, despite being the smallest among pelican species. The length of the subject in question has the potential to exceed 7 feet, while its plumage typically exhibits a darker hue in contrast to its counterparts, which often have a bright white coloration.
Pelicans Behavior
These avian species are renowned for their notable communal behavior, potentially attributed to their tendency to assemble in expansive colonies comprising numerous individuals. Various terms are employed to designate assemblages of these avian species, encompassing designations such as short, pod, pouch, squadron, and scoop, among other appellations. Particularly during their feeding activities, they derive immense satisfaction from the presence of individuals belonging to different avian taxa, such as cormorants and flamingos.
The choice of nesting location varies across different species, with some opting for shrubs, trees, or even the ground as their preferred nesting sites. Nevertheless, this was not consistently true. When individuals are not engaged in the act of consuming sustenance, they derive pleasure from engaging in activities like as basking in sunlight, indulging in periods of rest, and attending to their personal cleanliness. Once the sun has descended below the horizon, the avian creature will commence its preparations for slumber by assuming a posture wherein its head is nestled upon its shoulders, its eyes are closed, and its plumage is fluffed up, thereby serving as a protective barrier against the nocturnal chill.
Throughout the duration of the year, adult individuals of both genders persist in congregating with their offspring. Adult individuals engage in aerial displays and utilize intricate patterns of wing and beak movements as a means of communication. One notable characteristic of young birds, namely chicks, is their tendency to produce a significant amount of vocalizations before to departing from the nest. In order to express their aversion towards a particular stimulus, individuals emit a hissing sound by expelling air through their open bills. Certain avian species may exhibit additional behaviors such as gaping, head bending, or beak clapping while directing their gaze upwards as a means of defending their territory. Certain avian species may exhibit behaviors such as gaping, head drooping, or tail wagging.
Diet of Pelicans
These birds are carnivores and get the majority of their nourishment from marine life. Carp, shiners, mullet, and minnows are some of the fish that they like best, although the specific variety of fish that a certain species prefers can vary. In addition to that, they feed on various types of birds and small animals, such as rodents, amphibians, crabs, and insects. Pelicans will eat by themselves or in groups, with the exception of the Dalmatian and pink-backed species, which prefer to eat by themselves. Pelicans can be found feeding in a variety of environments. Pelicans of both the brown and Peruvian varieties look for food by flying to great heights and then diving into the ocean to bring it back to their nests.
Threats and Potential Predators
Owing to their diminutive stature, the likelihood of these birds being consumed by other fauna is minimal. They have natural adversaries in wolves, coyotes, and other wild canines, in addition to domestic cats. On the contrary, the greatest peril to their extended survival is posed by human beings. Brown pelicans were on the verge of extinction due to the increased fragility of their eggshells caused by the widespread application of the pesticide DDT throughout the 20th century. As the number of inhabitants migrated towards coastal regions, the threat of urbanization to pelican breeding grounds grew. The population of brown pelicans began to increase shortly after the moratorium on DDT in 1972. Since their status as endangered is no longer believed to be accurate, they are presently categorized as vulnerable rather than endangered.
The decline of wetland habitats inhabited by Dalmatian pelicans, which are indigenous to the Mediterranean region of eastern Europe and western Asia, is a direct result of human activity. Recent conservation initiatives have contributed to the population’s approximately stable condition.
Animals in densely populated places are less likely to embark on hunting trips since they have learned to rely on humans for their meals. Because they are starving, pelicans who approach people for scraps put themselves at risk of disease. Even if commercial fishers have already placed their hooks and nets, some hunters prefer to go there anyhow. Some fisherman cut the birds free without removing the net or hook, putting their lives in peril. They could have been saved if they were allowed to go free. Pelicans are threatened by water pollution, oil spills, and chemical waste dumps.
Population
It is estimated that there are about 300,000 brown pelicans in the world, with roughly 350,000 of those being found in Peru. Pelican numbers are estimated to be between 10,000 and 13,900. It is predicted that there are roughly 100,000 white pelicans in North America, whereas up to 10,000 breeding pairs could survive in Europe. There are several pelicans living in Australia. Between 300,000 and 500,000 birds are thought to inhabit the continent at any given time.
How do Pelicans cover themselves?
Feathers cover the entire body of a pelican.
