American Pelicans 2019 | Flying The American Pelican’s nine foot wingspan looks pretty impressive when flying overhead. They are truly majestic bird in flight. For the whole story with all images, see American Pelicans 2019 | a 7 Image Story.
American Pelicans 2019 | Flock This American Pelican flock settled down for their afternoon preen and nap. The sun cast a few shadows from nearby trees. For the whole story with all images, see American Pelicans 2019 | a 7 Image Story.
American Pelicans 2019 | Water Landing It’s a good landing if you can float away from it. For the whole story with all images, see American Pelicans 2019 | a 7 Image Story.
American Pelicans 2019 | Scramble Although their flight operations may seem a bit disorganized, these American Pelicans safely carry out simultaneous landings and takeoffs. For the whole story with all images, see American Pelicans 2019 | a 7 Image Story.
American Pelicans 2019 | Formation American Pelicans are strong fliers who alternate flapping and soaring. Although they are one the heaviest flying birds in the world, they soar quite well. Their large yet narrow 9 foot wingspan makes soaring easier. For the whole story with all images, see American Pelicans 2019 | a 7 Image Story.
American Pelicans 2019 | Takeoff American Pelicans are strong fliers. Although they are among the heaviest flying birds in the world, they get off the water very quickly when they takeoff. Although a 9 foot wingspan probably makes it easier, they must be very strong to get airborne so quickly. By contrast, Swans travel a long distance skipping across the water with their feet before finally lifting off. For the whole story with all images, see American Pelicans 2019 | a 7 Image Story.
American Pelicans 2019 | Portrait The American White Pelican is a large, majestic bird in flight. Their bodies measure up to 5 feet in length, their bills can reach 14 inches, and their wing spans up to 9 feet. In the breeding season, they have a flattened “horn” on the upper bill. They shed the horn after mating. Males and females look exactly alike except the female is a bit smaller. For the whole story with all images, see American Pelicans 2019 | a 7 Image Story.
American Pelicans 2019 | a 7 Image Story Every year in early spring, a small flock of American Pelicans stop to rest and fish in a nearby lake along my walkabout trail. They usually spend 10 days to 2 weeks on the lake. Spring is clearly here when they arrive. Many folks around here, including yours truly, look forward to their arrival each year. They are great fun; such clowns. Of course, they are probably not playing, but they just seem like clowns to me. It’s fun watching them between clicks. Wish they would hang around longer. They are always the highlight of my spring walkabouts.
The American White Pelican is a large, majestic bird in flight. Their bodies measure up to 5 feet in length, their bills can reach 14 inches, and their wing spans up to 9 feet. In the breeding season, they have a flattened “horn” on the upper bill. They shed the horn after mating. Males and females look exactly alike except the female is a bit smaller.
They migrate annually to and through Illinois arriving as early as mid-March. They are strong fliers who alternate flapping and soaring during migration. Although they are among the heaviest flying birds in the world, they soar quite well. Their large yet narrow 9 foot wingspan makes soaring easier. They also get off the water very quickly when they takeoff. Again the 9 foot wingspan probably makes it easier, they still must be very strong to get airborne so quickly. By contrast, Swans travel a long distance skipping across the water with their feet before finally lifting off.
In Illinois American White Pelicans stay along rivers and inland lakes, but they sometimes feed 50 miles from their base. White Pelicans swim and submerge their pouches to scoop fish instead of diving for fish like their cousin, the Brown Pelican. Each bird can eat more than 4 pounds of food a day,
Each image will be posted individually this week with a bit more narrative under category American Pelicans 2019.
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