There are 8 types of pelicans on the planet. These are waterfowl, carnivorous birds, they catch fish on the ocean coast and/or on lakes and rivers. Pelicars are used for quick movement in water, long beams are used for quick movement, fish the main source of food. Many species dive and swim deep under water, where they catch prey.
Pelican
Description of the pelican
All types of pelicans have paws with four webbece fingers. The paws are short, so the pelicans look clumsy on land, but when they fall into the water, they become graceful swimmers-hunters.
All birds have large beaks with a throat bag, with which they catch prey and drain water. Bags are also part of marriage rites and regulate body temperature. Pelicans have a large wingspan, they masterfully fly in the air, and not just swim in water.
Pink pelican
Curly pelican
The habitat of pelicans
Pelicans live on all continents, except Antarctica. DNA studies have shown that pelicans belong to three main types:
Pelicans catch fish in rivers, lakes, delits and estuaries. But sometimes they hunt amphibians, turtles, crustaceans, insects, birds and mammals. Some species nest on the coast near the seas and oceans, others next to large continental lakes.
Diet and behavior of pelicans
Pelicans capture the victim with its beaks, and then drain the water from the bags before swallowing live food. At this moment, seagulls and tones try to steal fish from the beak. Birds hunt one by one or groups. Pelicans dive into water at high speed, catch prey. Some pelicans migrate over long distances, others lead a sedentary lifestyle.
Pelicans are social creatures, they build nests in colonies, sometimes in one place ornithologists have thousands of pairs. The largest species are large white, American white, Australian and curly pelicans are growing on earth. Smaller pelicans build nests on trees, shrubs or on the ledges of the rocks. Each type of pelicans builds a nests of an individual size and complexity.
How pelicans give offspring
The season of propagation of pelicans depends on the type. Some species give offspring annually or every two years. Others lay eggs in certain seasons or all year round. Pelican eggs color:
Pelicans lay eggs in masonry. The number of eggs depends on the species, on one to six at the same time, and the eggs are incubated from 24 to 57 days.
Males and females of pelicans jointly build nests and hatch eggs. Dad selects a nesting place, collects sticks, feathers, leaves and other garbage, and mom builds a nest. After the female lays eggs, dad and mom take turns standing on them with weedmade paws.
Both parents take care of chickens, feed them buried fish. Many of the species care about offspring up to 18 months. Young pelicans are required from 3 to 5 years to achieve puberty.
Interesting Facts
- The oldest of the found fossils of pelicans age 30 million years. The skull was dug up in oligocene deposits in France.
- Birds breathe mouth, as their nostrils are closed with a horn shell.
- The average life expectancy of pelicans in nature ranges from 10 to 30 years, depending on the type.
- They can easily contain up to 13 liters of water in a throat bag.
- Pelicans take off, like eagles thanks to giant wings.
- Big white pelican the most difficult look, weighs from 9 to 15 kg.
- These birds travel in flocks in the form of an elongated wedge.
