Pelicans

Hi everyone! Thanks for taking the time to come with me on another adventure. Leaving the mountains for a while and traveling to the coast of NC, more specifically Oak Island. Donna and I shared this adventure with Donna's sister Nancy and her husband Bernard.

Let Explore Pelicans!

Pelican Activity

The day began about 5:40 AM with a walk on the beach to see what dawn and the sunrise would bring. This one particular morning after sunrise with the tide receding I noticed a fair amount of pelican activity near shore.

The brown pelican is not an unusual sight, especially on the south eastern and western coasts of the United States. At one time, however, the species teetered on the brink of extinction due to pesticide use that made their egg shells too fragile for successful hatching. The elimination of DDT and some other pesticides has resulted in healthy populations once again.

Brown Pelicans

Brown pelicans are easily recognized by their long bill, thin neck, and large dark body. The head of the adult is yellow to white and an immature bird has a brown head. Often seen in large groups gracefully "surfing" just inches above the waves, it is amazing they aren't toppled over. Many pelicans were engaging this activity with both adults and juveniles participating. Perhaps it was pelican flight school! Their feeding pattern is a wonder to behold. From high above the water they spot schools of fish. After an abrupt turn towards the water, the pelican tucks its head and rotates its body to the left. This is done to protect its trachea and esophagus located on the right side from trauma at water impact. We watched in amazement as the bird hits the water. How in the world do they not break their neck? The dive is almost vertical and the hard impact stuns the fish which are gathered along with up to 2.5 gallons of water into its expandable pouch. As it drains water, seagulls sometimes can be seen trying to steal a meal from the bird.

I was fortunate this morning to observe these behaviors at a fairly close distance. One would think this big bird to be awkward and it is when it waddles along the ground, but in flight and feeding it is remarkably graceful.

I hope you enjoyed this morning on the beach and hope that you can also do a little pelican watching. Thank you for coming along.