The
Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis †) is the
smallest (42"-54") member of the pelican family.
It lives strictly on coasts from Washington and Cape Cod
to the mouth of the Amazon River. Some immature birds
may stray to inland freshwater lakes. After nesting, North
American birds move further north along the coasts in
flocks, 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 cooperative fishing from the surface. It
dines mostly on herring-like fish. Groups of these birds
often travel in single file, flying low over the water's
surface. The nest location varies from a simple scrape
on the ground on an island to a bulky stick nest in a
low tree. These birds nest in colonies, usually on islands. |
