2942-Pelican 35 cm.

Pelican

Description There are over half a dozen species of pelicans, but the most distinct characteristics of all these species are their long beak and big throat pouch, which they use for catching prey. Compared to females, males are larger and have longer bills. Pelicans’ feathers are usually pale, except for the Brown Pelican and Peruvian Pelican. However, the skin on their faces, pouches, and bills become brighter before the breeding season starts. They also have big, fully-webbed feet, short and square tail, long neck, and short legs. The wings of pelicans are long and wide, which are perfect for soaring and gliding flight. Normally, pelicans catch fish in groups. They may form a U-shaped or straight line and then drive their prey into shallow water by flapping their wings. Once the fishes gather in the shallows, the pelicans proceed to scoop them up. This type of bird naturally lives in the coastlines, and along rivers and lakes of all continents except Antarctica. Pelicans travel in flocks and breed in groups called colonies.

Status According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the population of Brown pelicans declined in the 1950s and 1960s due to pollution and was categorized as endangered in the United States in 1970. However, in 2009, the Brown Pelican was removed from the list as the population recovered. Meanwhile, the Peruvian Pelican and Spot-billed Pelican are listed as Near Threatened due to deforestation. At present, pelicans are constantly threatened by the destruction of their natural habitat, hunting, water pollution, as well as declining fish supplies.