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Pelican skull on mangrove
Pelecanus conspicillatus
-38.3748, 145.221
Field Notes
Description:
At 5 feet above the ground I first thought this skull-on-a-stick was erected by a human. After close inspection it became clear that the skull had been lifted and grown through by a mangrove. I identified this mostly by the other parts lying around - I suspect this was a pelican 'burial ground' as there were several others lying around in the mangroves in various states of decomposition or bleaching.
Habitat:
Right on high-tide mark. These are the most southerly mangroves in the world.
Notes:
Creepy turned cool :-) The biggest of the pelicans. Found throughout Australia, Papua New Guinea and eastern Indonesia, and occasionally in New Zealand and some western Pacific islands. Groups of pelicans are called pods, scoops or squadrons.
Species ID Suggestions
Spotted for Missions
Photographed
PublishedJuly 7, 2013
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