Brown+Pelican

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 * The Brown Pelican is the state bird of Louisiana. It is also one of the mascots of Tulane University and is on its seal because of the Lousiana connection. It is the smallest out of the eight pelican species. It is 42-54inches long, and weighs 6-12 pounds. It has a wingspan from 6 to 8.2 feet. It has an enormous bill and expandable throat pouch to catch fish underwater. Unlike other pelicans, the Brown Pelican captures its prey dising head-first. Pelicans have webbed feet. They have keen eyesight. They can spot a school of fish or a single fish flying over the ocean. Brown Pelicans are smaller than white ones. California Brown Pelicans are larger than the browns. The Brown Pelican lives on coast from Washington and Virgina. South to northern Nile and the mouth of the Amazon River. Pelicans depend on anchovies, mackerels, and sardines for food. Pelicans are threatened by oil spills, entanglement with hooks and fishing line, and desease outbreaks from overcrowding. The biggest threat is the pesticide DDT. In 1970 they were listed as endagered. By 1985, Atlantic coast Brown Pelicans recovered. Scientist feel that pelicans in other places, including California, have recovered too. Humans and dogs also disturb the nest which is becoming a problem. Their youngs are hatched in broods of about 3, and eat around 150 lbs. of fish in 8-10 month period they are cared for. The nest location varies from simple scrape on the ground on an island to bulky stick nest in a low tree. These birds nest in colonies, usually on islands. In late summer, the brown pelican heads up the California coast from its breeding and nesting sites on the islands off the coast of Mexico. After four and five months raising their chicks and teaching them the difficult skill of plunge diving, the pelicans follow their food supply-anchovy, sardine and mackeral-as far north as British Columbia. ELkhorn Slough is one of the most important roosting sites along the way, with peak roost counts between 1000 and 5000 birds! Many pelicans arrive during May and June, with the greatest numbers presents from July and October. When you go to the beach, pay attenion to signs warning you that birds are nesting. Many shore birds nest right on the beach. They are easily disturbed. Try not to let your dog chase or bark at them. [[image:http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs/htm96/map617/ra1260.gif width="291" height="189" align="right"]] **=====