Brown Pelican in flight by Dee Renee Ericks
Article by Dee Renee Ericks
Two days ago, at the Port Angeles Harbor, I had a most unexpected encounter!
While birdwatching in the early morning soft light, I was rewarded by the discovery of a Brown Pelican resting on nearby pilings. I tore myself away from watching the amusing antics of fledgling Purple Martins, to photograph this most marvelous and fascinating bird. While Brown Pelicans are regularly seen along the Pacific coast, they are only seen on rare occasion in the Port Angeles area.
A Brown Pelican hangs out on pilings in Port Angeles Harbor. Photo by Dee Renee Ericks
This beauty posed sedately, silhouetted, as the sun rose higher in the sky. The pelican was relaxed, and performed some casual preening, casting occasional glances toward boaters at the nearby boat launch. Earlier “he” had been buzzed and scolded by adult Purple Martins, but barely moved.
Looking through my camera’s lens, I found what details I could achieve with this difficult lighting situation. With blown highlights, I could render an unusual view of this beautiful bird’s features.
A Brown Pelican on the lookout for dive-bombing Purple Martins. Photo by Dee Renee Ericks
I watched, captivated. Suddenly, the Brown Pelican opened his mouth wide.
Brown Pelican opens wide! Photo by Dee Renee Ericks
It looked to me like he turned his pouch inside out!
Gular pouch. Photo by Dee Renee Ericks
He then stretched his neck and pouch straight up, where you could see darker veins in the backlit, pink translucent skin. He settled back down, and sat quietly, unaware of MY gaping mouth and wide-eyed stare.
Stretching the pouch! Photo by Dee Renee Ericks
My subject eventually flew off at the disturbance of an incoming boat. I realized that I wanted to learn more about the pelican’s pouch!
An approaching boat disturbed our reverie! Photo by Dee Renee Ericks
Further reading and talking with OPAS members, I discovered that this thick layer of stretchy skin is called a gular pouch. This flap of skin is used to scoop up fish like a fishing net. It can also serve to hold its catch for feeding its chicks, and is used to cool itself off by fluttering on hot days. The pelican’s pouch can hold almost three times more than his stomach, up to three gallons and weights up to 24 pounds!
Known for their sharp eyesight, Brown Pelicans often fly about 60 to 70 feet above the water, and when they see tasty morsels below, they tuck their wings and dive head first into the ocean. The water’s impact on their body is cushioned by air sacks under their skin. When fish are caught, a pelican tips its bill and contracts their pouch to drain water. They then throw their head back to swallow their prey in a big gulp. The hook at the end of their bill is employed to help catch slippery fish. I found it interesting that pelicans mostly breath through their mouths, because their nostrils are clogged by glands that remove extra salt from the bloodstream.
As a side note, Brown Pelicans were on the Endangered species list between 1970 and 2009 as a result of the use of DDT and related pesticides.
If you happen to be near the coast or in a NW Washington harbor keep your eyes open for this amazing bird!