All but one of the world's six pelicans
are mainly white in color, and these include the American, eastern
European, African and Asian White Pelican. 
Large
birds (62 in. long with a wingspan of 102 in.) with fully webbed
feet (webs connect all four toes), pelicans are well known for
their long, hook-tipped bill that bears a large, drooping pouch,
used to catch and to hold numbers of fish. These are caught by
the bird either swimming and scooping or by diving from a height
of 30 to 40 feet. At times a group of pelicans work together
in attacking schools of fish at the surface, encircling them
or driving them into shallow water. (The American White Pelican
does not dive for food but dips its bill into the water while
swimming.)
Nesting White Pelicans show a tinge of
pink in their plumage. The American White Pelican has feathered
cheeks, unlike those of other species. They breed in fresh-water
marshes, constructing a bulky nest in reedbeds, numbers of birds
nesting colonially. 
Up to
four eggs are laid and incubated for 30 days or so. The young
are fed regurgitated fish from the adults' bills, and soon they
are thrusting their bill deep into the maw of the adult bill
to drag out fishes. They fledge in about 2-1/2 months. There
is one brood each year.
The Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)
is 41 inches long with a 90 inch wingspan. The sexes are similar.
Pelicans have suffered serious declines
in numbers throughout the world due to toxic effects of some
pollutants. It is hoped that these distinctive, comical and interesting
birds can be preserved.
Order: Ciconiiformes | Family: Pelecanidae
| Genus: Pelecanus
Here are the many Pelicans at Jeannie's
Cottage. They are, from left: Glider, a Pelican Beanie
Baby from Ty Inc.; Petrie, a Pelican Luv Pet from Russ
Berrie; an Audubon
Birds Brown Pelican from Wild Republic; Can Can the
Coca-Cola International Bean Bag pelican representing the country
of Cuba and at far right is Scoop the Beanie Baby made
by Ty Inc..
