Juvenile Brown Pelicans at Fort Jefferson
This was another fabulous week for birdwatching at Fort Jefferson. Our visitors were ecstatic viewing all the different varieties of birds that gather at the fort, especially this time of year when bird activity is at its greatest.
Our favorite bird spotted this week is the Juvenile Brown Pelican, often referred to as one of the most interesting of our American birds. This seabird has a very long bill with a stretchy throat pouch used for catching its prey. Its wings are broad and very long and appear bowed when gliding. The young Brown Pelican is mostly brown with a white belly that will turn into adult coloring in three to four years. It has a white and gray-brown head and brown eyes. The Brown Pelican is more slender and smaller than its relative, the White Pelican. Their plumage is what distinguishes the adult Brown Pelican from the juvenile.
These pelicans have become quite tame around the folks visiting Fort Jefferson. Since the young seabirds are not as adept as the adults at fishing, they will usually be found hanging around the fort like dogs, just waiting and watching the fishermen clean their fish and then begging for some leftovers. Our birders got quite a chuckle watching these little beggars. While adult pelicans catch fish at least on two-thirds of their dives, the juveniles are less fortunate, which explains why less than one-third of these young birds survive. Eventually, they do learn to fish for themselves, and hopefully well enough. It is believed that their white bellies contrast less against the sky allowing these juveniles to get a little closer to their prey while learning to master the skill of hunting. In the meantime, let us applaud our gracious fishermen for doing their part in these youngsters' survivability.
Out of all the species of pelicans, the Brown Pelican is the only one that hunts its prey with such extreme dives. After the pelican catches the fish, it emerges to the surface and begins draining the water from its pouch. It then points its bill upward and swallows the fish, hopefully before a seagull robs the pelican of its catch. Sometimes the gull will even stand on the pelican's head and take the fish straight out of its bill. The seagull is the pelican's only competition, and just a minor one. It really does not seem to bother the reserved pelican. In shallow waters, the Brown Pelican will also swim and scoop its prey into its pouch. The juvenile has been seen fishing in the same manner as the other pelicans, by swimming on the surface of the water. Although these birds feed on sardines and anchovies, most of their catches have very little commercial value.
To witness and enjoy these very interesting creatures, come visit us at Fort Jefferson, Florida. We look forward to your stay.