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Brown Pelican

Pelecanus occidentalis

Published on Project Noah
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33.8492, -118.388

Field Notes

Description:

A large sea bird with striking brown, white and black plumage. A huge bill with a pouch in the bottom jaw.

Habitat:

Coastlines

Notes:

This bird hunts by flying above the water (about 20 ft) beyond the surf, then diving into the water when it sees a school of fish. The pouch expands and traps the fish, then the water drains out of the pouch when the pelican surfaces. This one was not afraid of people, and only moved a little when someone tried to pet it. I think it has been fed before..

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Spotted for Missions

Mission
California Coastal Wildlife Watch
Mission
Birds of the World
Mission
The Color Red
Mission
Animals in the area of LA
Photographed
PublishedMarch 4, 2013

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