birds4kids.blogspot.com : Pelican

 NATURAL WORLD : BIRDS

PELICAN

A wonderful bird is the Pelican
His bill can hold more than his belican
He can hold in his beak
enough food for a week
But I'm damned if I see how the helican !

- Ogden Nash

A basketful of goodies for the little ones! Oh yes! Mamma pelican knows just what her chicks need ...breakfast, lunch, dinner and a few extra tidbits thrown in.  The rubbery pouch attached to the bill can store a lot.

This is actually a myth.

In reality, pelicans do not store food for long periods in their bills. In fact the bills are more like fishing nets that swallow gallons of water along with fish and turtles. The excess water is drained out by tilting the head to the side and contracting the pouch muscles. The prey is swallowed whole. Pelicans also prey on pigeons, frogs, crabs and anything else they find edible on the shores.

However, when the chicks are young, they do carry the food to the nest on the shores in their very flexible pouches. 

How do they hunt?

Pelicans are large birds that live near water bodies and coastal areas in many parts of the world. There are about eight different species with white or grey-brown plumage. They hunt in groups, forming a 'U' shaped line and beating their wings on the surface of the water. This brings the fish swimming up and then the big birds swoop down and swallow them. The brown pelican plunges down from the air and catches prey.

Nesting and breeding

Before they find a mate, both males and females clap their pouches shut so that the sides flap loosely like flag in the wind. That is how they attract each other and then go off together to build a nest. During this period, the colour of their bills also change into brighter pinks and yellows.

The female scrapes the ground to make a dent. They build untidy nests of sticks and twigs on the shores or low trees nearby. It is lines with feathers and leaves.  A female lays about two to three eggs and both parents incubate them taking turns on their webbed feet. A chick leaves the nest when it is five weeks old. 

Fun fact

Pelican chicks gather in groups of 100s to form a creche where they learn to hunt and fly. Adults continue to keep an eye on them and feed them for a few weeks in the creche until they learn to fly.

Threats to Survival

Deforestation and environment pollution is harming pelicans. Spraying of chemical pesticides like DDT to control the spread of diseases is poisoning the fish and water due to which many birds are dying. 

Simple Lines to Speak.....

PELICANS

1.    Pelicans are big birds that live near lakes and seas.

2.  They have white or grey feathers with colourful bills.

3.  There is a large flexible pouch attached to the bill.

4.  It swallows or carries fish for its young in it.

5.  The nest is made of twigs and leaves.

6.  Pelicans are dying due to environment pollution.

Public Speaking

Note for educators and parents : Describe and explain with the help of information given on this page. Help the child memorize these lines and speak in front of a camera with actions.  Young Learners may post their videos and comments here.

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