Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)

Rating:

8
2 Ratings since 2007-10-18 01:45

Description
The Brown Pelican [/b](Pelecanus occidentalis) is the smallest of the eight species of pelican, although it is a large bird in nearly every other regard. It is 106-137 cm (42-54 in) in length, weighs from 2.75 to 5.5 kg (6-12 lbs) and has a wingspan from 1.83 to 2.5 m (6 to 8.2 ft).

It lives strictly on coasts from Washington and Virginia south to northern Chile and the mouth of the Amazon River. Some immature birds may stray to inland freshwater lakes. After nesting, North American birds move in flocks further north along the coasts, returning to warmer waters for winter.

This bird is distinguished from the American White Pelican by its brown body and its habit of diving for fish from the air, as opposed to co-operative fishing from the surface. It eats mainly herring-like fish. Groups of Brown Pelicans often travel in single file, flying low over the water's surface.

Keywords
Pelican - Virginia - Birds - Florida

License
Standard Image License

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Comments

Farmum wrote on 2007-10-18 01:45 GMT:

Rated:

Fabulous image - and thanks for the extra info on the bird!
Have you burnt in the detail along the lightest part of the wings a little or is it the colouration of the bird?
I love the setting, especially the coiled rope on the mooring post - excellent capture.

leefatherree wrote on 2007-10-18 11:05 GMT:

Rated:

Very Nice Shot!!!Well Done!!!Good Colors!!!Lee Fatherree