Pelicans are a genus of large water birds that makes up the family Pelecanidae.
With 8 different species of pelicans, they can be found on all continents except for Antarctica.
Pelicans live throughout the world in tropic and temperate zones, and always near bodies of water.
Average life span in the wild is 10 to 25 years or more and up to 54 in in captivity.
It is easy to identify pelicans, because they are one of the only birds with a pouch under their bill.
Along with the giant pouch, pelicans are a large bird with short legs, and they appear rather clumsy on land.
Once in the water, they are strong swimmers, thanks to their webbed feet.
The largest is Dalmatian pelican (Pelecanus crispus) measuring from 1.6 to 1.8 meters (5.2 to …show more content…
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The heaviest is great white pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus) weighing from 9 to 15 kilograms (20 to 33 pounds).
3
The smallest and lightest is brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) measuring from 1 to 1.5 meters
(3.4 to 5 feet ) and weight about 3.5 kilograms (7.7 pounds).
4
The wingspan can range from 2 to 3.6 meters (6.7 to 11.8 feet), depending on species.
Pelicans are splendid fliers and can soar like eagles with their giant wings.
Getting UP in the air can be challenging without the help of the wind. Pelicans must run over the water while beating their big wings and pounding the surface of the water with both feet in unison to get enough speed for takeoff. 5
They are social birds and typically travel in flocks, often strung out in a line.
Pelicans are carnivores (meat-eaters) and hunt during the day (they are diurnal).
While most pelicans eat fish exclusively, they can be opportunistic feeders, eating lizards, frogs, crabs and …show more content…
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The brown pelican, on the other hand, dives on fish (usually a type of herring called menhaden) from above and snares them in its bill.
Pelicans do not store fish in their pouch, but simply use it to catch them and then tip it back to drain out water and swallow the fish immediately.
When not eating, pelicans spend hours preening, snoozing, or sunbathing.
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At dusk, pelicans all settle down for the night. Their head rests back on their shoulders, their eyes close and their feathers ruffled against the cold.
They nest in colonies in trees, bushes, or on the ground, depending on the species.
Breeding colonies often consist of hundreds of these birds all crowded onto one small island.
8
Males will use certain tactics to attract females during the breeding season. Certain males have colorful feathers and some others have the ability to change the color of their bill, pouch and neck into brighter colors during the interesting courtship.
Both females and males contribute to the making of the nest.
Pairs are monogamous for a single season, but the pair bond extends only to the nesting area; mates are independent away from the nest.
Females will usually lay 1 to 3 eggs and on some occasions 4 or 5 eggs. Incubation period lasts between 28
With 8 different species of pelicans, they can be found on all continents except for Antarctica.
Pelicans live throughout the world in tropic and temperate zones, and always near bodies of water.
Average life span in the wild is 10 to 25 years or more and up to 54 in in captivity.
It is easy to identify pelicans, because they are one of the only birds with a pouch under their bill.
Along with the giant pouch, pelicans are a large bird with short legs, and they appear rather clumsy on land.
Once in the water, they are strong swimmers, thanks to their webbed feet.
The largest is Dalmatian pelican (Pelecanus crispus) measuring from 1.6 to 1.8 meters (5.2 to …show more content…
2
The heaviest is great white pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus) weighing from 9 to 15 kilograms (20 to 33 pounds).
3
The smallest and lightest is brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) measuring from 1 to 1.5 meters
(3.4 to 5 feet ) and weight about 3.5 kilograms (7.7 pounds).
4
The wingspan can range from 2 to 3.6 meters (6.7 to 11.8 feet), depending on species.
Pelicans are splendid fliers and can soar like eagles with their giant wings.
Getting UP in the air can be challenging without the help of the wind. Pelicans must run over the water while beating their big wings and pounding the surface of the water with both feet in unison to get enough speed for takeoff. 5
They are social birds and typically travel in flocks, often strung out in a line.
Pelicans are carnivores (meat-eaters) and hunt during the day (they are diurnal).
While most pelicans eat fish exclusively, they can be opportunistic feeders, eating lizards, frogs, crabs and …show more content…
6
The brown pelican, on the other hand, dives on fish (usually a type of herring called menhaden) from above and snares them in its bill.
Pelicans do not store fish in their pouch, but simply use it to catch them and then tip it back to drain out water and swallow the fish immediately.
When not eating, pelicans spend hours preening, snoozing, or sunbathing.
7
At dusk, pelicans all settle down for the night. Their head rests back on their shoulders, their eyes close and their feathers ruffled against the cold.
They nest in colonies in trees, bushes, or on the ground, depending on the species.
Breeding colonies often consist of hundreds of these birds all crowded onto one small island.
8
Males will use certain tactics to attract females during the breeding season. Certain males have colorful feathers and some others have the ability to change the color of their bill, pouch and neck into brighter colors during the interesting courtship.
Both females and males contribute to the making of the nest.
Pairs are monogamous for a single season, but the pair bond extends only to the nesting area; mates are independent away from the nest.
Females will usually lay 1 to 3 eggs and on some occasions 4 or 5 eggs. Incubation period lasts between 28