Pelicans

Ivan Phillipsen

19 November 2020

Summary Pelicans are large, peculiar waterbirds with a unique way of feeding. Using their long bills and throat pouches, they scoop up fish and other prey from water. Some pelican species plunge dive from the air, others work in cooperative groups to improve their chances of fishing success. In this episode, we focus on the family Pelecanidae. We go through the characteristics of pelicans, with a focus on their bill and throat pouch. We also discuss the feeding strategies of pelicans, how they breed, and their evolution. Finally, we touch on some issues about the conservation of pelicans. Along the way, we’ll do some myth-busting. There are several misconceptions about pelicans that we need to address. Links of Interest Video about the plunge-diving adaptations of Brown PelicansVideo from the BBC about pelicans eating Cape Gannet chicksLink to this episode on the Science of Birds website Support the show