A pelican feeds by shallow plungediving
The brown pelican (pelícano; Pelecanus occidentalis) is unmistakable with its large size and huge pouched bill. They have wide fingered wings and are good gliders. They are often seen flying in a squadron-like formation, flapping and gliding in unison as if performing in an elegant aerial ballet.
A pelican feeds by shallow plungediving and scooping up as much as 10 liters of water in its distensible pouch. The water rapidly drains out through the bill and the trapped fish are swallowed. It sounds straightforward, but it isn't. AIthough parents raise broods of two or three chicks, many of the fledged young are unable to learn the scoop-fishing technique quickly enough and starve to death as a result.
Pelicans are found along both coasts but are more common on the Pacific, especially in the Golfo de Nicoya, where some islands provide them with breeding grounds.
Pictures by Angela and Jörn Malek. The team of 1-CostaRicaLink wishes you the best of times in our little paradise called Costa Rica.
Text by Lonely Planet. To buy the complete book
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