Pelicans
Roost Queue
Brown pelicans love to roost on pilings. It’s the same reason they choose islands or trees for their nests to be protected from predators. Many of the pilings at marinas and docks now have plastic caps that come to a point, thus preventing birds from roosting.
The pilings in this photograph are probably the remains from a structure destroyed by hurricane Ivan (2004). They are a favorite roost not only for pelicans but for cormorants and other sea birds. However, when the pelicans want to be there, they get their way. I have even witnessed pelicans vie with other pelicans for a spot.
Blue Landing
Brown Pelicans go through complex plumage changes, perhaps the most of any bird. One of the most dramatic is the crown of the male’s head. During the mating season of winter and early spring this area turns bright yellow.
After eggs have been laid these yellow feathers fall out slowly and are replaced with white ones during incubation which requires either the male or female to stand on the eggs. The yellow totally disappears during the last week of incubation.
Awake
Gulfport, Florida is a small city of 12,000 at the southern tip of Pinellas Peninsula and is surrounded by water and St. Petersburg. There is a marina there with an entrance including a fish cleaning station which is popular with waterfowl including Brown Pelicans.
I went there on an overcast day not expecting much, very few birds, no one cleaning fish, but these two had a system. They would spy a returning boat far out from the marina, fly out, circle it in hopes of receiving a handout, then return to their perch on the sign. Over and over again.
The Dive
Brown Pelicans are known to dive up to 70 feet to catch fish. It is a violent twisting entry, but they have several special physical features that protect them from harm. However, they have another fishing technique.
If the water is glassy, they will glide less than a foot above the surface employing their wingspan of up to 84 inches. Aided by additional lift generated by what pilots call the “ground effect”, I have observed flapless “hang times” of up to 5 seconds. They quickly plunge for their prey.
Dinosaur Caves Park Roost
Dinosaur Caves Park is in Pismo Beach, California. The name refers to a previous era when the land was privately owned. It featured a 50 foot plastered Brontosaurus and tours of clift caves.
The park includes a collection of islands that are popular roosts for pelicans and shore birds. From my experience the pelicans arrive in mid-summer and put on a fabulous show for over an hour near sunset.
Pole Watcher
Mirror Pelicans
Pier Proud
Shore Birds
Floating Elegance