Pelican
Landing
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The
California brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) is a large,
ungainly looking seabird. They are elegant fliers, often cruising just
over the tops of the breakers in a single file formation, alternately
flapping and gliding. Brown pelicans frequently dive from heights of
20 to 60 feet to capture fish. The pouch below the pelican's bill can
hold three times more than its stomach. Since birds can't sweat, the
pouch also helps the bird to cool off in hot weather.
They were threatened with extinction in the 1970's due to the use of
the pesticide DDT, over-harvesting of the fish they eat, oil spills,
water pollutants, abandoned fishing tackle and human development along
the coastline. California Brown Pelicans are on both the state and federal
endangered list and their population is unknown at this time.
Water Birds
