Wednesday, April 13, 2005
Pelicans...
I don't know why Grandpa EVK suggested Pelicans, but here goes...
The pelican (Pelecanus Conspicillatus) is the largest flying bird in Australia. It has a wingspan of 2.3-2.5m, and weighs 4.0-6.8kg. They typically live in coastal areas of the nation, but have been known to be seen in inland areas of Australia around lakes, rivers, swamps and other waterways both salt-water and fresh-water. They have also been found in PNG, west Indonesia, New Zealand and other Pacific islands.
An adult pelican are black and white feathered birds and has a yellow ring around the eye. New-born pelicans are pink (without feathers) and have their eyes open at birth.
The pelican's diet mainly consists of small fish. These fish are captured in the distinctive yellow-pink bill/pouch. They accept handouts from humans without second thought, and have been known to become dependant on this food source. They also eat seagulls, tadpoles, turtles and ducklings. The pelican drowns the seagulls and ducklings by capturing the bird in the bill and holding it under water. The drowned bird is then eaten headfirst.
The distinctive pouch is not used to store food for a long period of time. Rather, the bill is used to collect food. The hook on the top "lip" helps to grip slippery foods. The bill is sensitive, and this helps the pelican to source fish in murky and muddy waters.
When used to its complete capacity, the pelican can hold thirteen litres of fluid in its bill. The bill is used as a net to capture fish in deeper waters. As a fish is caught, the pelican will bring the bill towards its breast, emptying the remaining water from the bill before swallowing the fish.
The pelican is capable of flying thousands of kilometres at a time, in periods of time exceeding 24 hours. Instead of constantly flapping their wings, pelicans tend to soar though the air to speeds of 56km/hr. They are commonly seen flying at altitudes of 1000m, and sometimes up to 3000m.
Before breeding occurs, the male pelican must show himself worthy and committed to a female pelican. Courting begins with a large group of males following just one female. The female will lead the group of males in a chase until just one remains. During this courting period, the colour of the bill will vary from salmon pink to chrome yellow. The top of the bill may change to cobalt blue with a black diagonal strip appearing from base to tip.
The female prepares the nesting bed. The nest is typically a scrape in the ground, filled with leaves, sticks and feathers within reach of the scrape.
Within three days of breeding, one to three eggs are laid within a two to three day period. Both parents share the incubation period which lasts between 32 and 35 days. The first chick to hatch is typically a lot bigger than its siblings. This chick may kill its siblings, and consumes a majority of the food.
A chick will leave the nest after a month in a creche of up to 100 birds of a similar age. They stay with this creche for two months, learning how to fly and finding their independance.
Pelicans will typically live between 10 and 25 years.
Sources: Australian Museum Online
ABC's Our Animals
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Perhaps you could say my day hasn't been too thrilling...
The pelican (Pelecanus Conspicillatus) is the largest flying bird in Australia. It has a wingspan of 2.3-2.5m, and weighs 4.0-6.8kg. They typically live in coastal areas of the nation, but have been known to be seen in inland areas of Australia around lakes, rivers, swamps and other waterways both salt-water and fresh-water. They have also been found in PNG, west Indonesia, New Zealand and other Pacific islands.
An adult pelican are black and white feathered birds and has a yellow ring around the eye. New-born pelicans are pink (without feathers) and have their eyes open at birth.
The pelican's diet mainly consists of small fish. These fish are captured in the distinctive yellow-pink bill/pouch. They accept handouts from humans without second thought, and have been known to become dependant on this food source. They also eat seagulls, tadpoles, turtles and ducklings. The pelican drowns the seagulls and ducklings by capturing the bird in the bill and holding it under water. The drowned bird is then eaten headfirst.
The distinctive pouch is not used to store food for a long period of time. Rather, the bill is used to collect food. The hook on the top "lip" helps to grip slippery foods. The bill is sensitive, and this helps the pelican to source fish in murky and muddy waters.
When used to its complete capacity, the pelican can hold thirteen litres of fluid in its bill. The bill is used as a net to capture fish in deeper waters. As a fish is caught, the pelican will bring the bill towards its breast, emptying the remaining water from the bill before swallowing the fish.
The pelican is capable of flying thousands of kilometres at a time, in periods of time exceeding 24 hours. Instead of constantly flapping their wings, pelicans tend to soar though the air to speeds of 56km/hr. They are commonly seen flying at altitudes of 1000m, and sometimes up to 3000m.
Before breeding occurs, the male pelican must show himself worthy and committed to a female pelican. Courting begins with a large group of males following just one female. The female will lead the group of males in a chase until just one remains. During this courting period, the colour of the bill will vary from salmon pink to chrome yellow. The top of the bill may change to cobalt blue with a black diagonal strip appearing from base to tip.
The female prepares the nesting bed. The nest is typically a scrape in the ground, filled with leaves, sticks and feathers within reach of the scrape.
Within three days of breeding, one to three eggs are laid within a two to three day period. Both parents share the incubation period which lasts between 32 and 35 days. The first chick to hatch is typically a lot bigger than its siblings. This chick may kill its siblings, and consumes a majority of the food.
A chick will leave the nest after a month in a creche of up to 100 birds of a similar age. They stay with this creche for two months, learning how to fly and finding their independance.
Pelicans will typically live between 10 and 25 years.
Sources: Australian Museum Online
ABC's Our Animals
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Perhaps you could say my day hasn't been too thrilling...
