Mar 26, 2018 · Imagine a line of Brown Pelicans flying just above the breaking surf of the coast. Perhaps you’ve watched, and heard, these large, long-billed birds fishing. They circle high, then dive headfirst, plunging under water to catch fish. But doesn’t that hurt?

May 31, 2017 · When they spot their quarry, they turn into a shooting arrow with their sharp bill aimed straight for the water. At high speed, they smack into the surface of the sea and scoop up their prey. To...

Apr 25, 2017 · That beak is more than just a fishing net. It’s also a parachute that pops open underwater, helping to slow the bird down. Behind the pelican’s remarkable resilience (and beaks) lies 30 million...

Mar 29, 2021 · Brown Pelicans fly just above the surface of the water. They circle high, then diving headfirst, plunge under water to catch fish. But doesn't that hurt? Several adaptations protect pelicans as they dive. First, they have air sacs beneath the …

Dec 23, 2011 · High-speed brown pelicans diving for sardine & anchovies in the Sea of Cortez. Clip taken from the North America episode of Earthflight (Winged Planet). You can download this episode or the whole...

Unlike other diving birds (e.g., boobies), pelicans do not chase prey underwater and instead gulp large volumes of water, along with potential prey, near the surface. After contracting the throat muscles to expel all of the gulped water, brown pelicans can easily swallow their food. Using this method, these birds can swallow fairly large prey.

Apr 25, 2017 · When it plummets, the pelican takes a deep breath and air rushes into those tiny caverns, called pneumatic foramina. And this bird comes equipped with another flotation device. It's made of...

Pelicans take off from the water or from a perch above the water and dive-bomb into the water with tremendous speed, using their powerful wings to propel themselves underwater. This technique allows them to catch fish with precision.

Jul 27, 2023 · For millions of years, pelicans have honed their sharp eyesight to the point where they can spot fish underwater. On the sides of a pelican's head are its eyes, which give them a panoramic view, similar to a 360-degree camera. Pelicans also have a unique feature that helps them see underwater.

In addition to feeding on fish at the water surface, the Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) exhibits a range of diving attacks that include a unique form of high plunge diving.