PELICAN
(Witpelikaan)
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This cache forms a part of the YWP Bird series.
For a full list of all the birdies CLICK HERE
I DECIDED TO DO THIS BIRD TRAIL IN YELLOWWOOD PARK, SEEING THAT ALL STREETS ARE NAMED AFTER BIRDS. I HOPE PEOPLE WILL BECOME MORE AWARE OF THESE BEAUTIFUL BIRDS WHICH WE SEE EVERY DAY AND TAKE FOR GRANTED... IT OPENED MY EYES.
Don't forget to treat this birdie like you would like your cache to be treated.
Please Bring your own Pen
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QUICK FACTS
Pelicans and their relatives are the only group of birds to have webbing between all four toes. Pelican are strong swimmers and have large, webbed feet that enable them to efficiently propel themselves through the water and control their direction.
Pelicans and their relatives use an assortment of different feeding behaviors that vary from species to species.Some species such as gannets and tropicbirds dive into the water at great speed to capture their prey. Other species such as pelicans possess a pouch that enables them to scoop fish that are swimming at the surface. Cormorants swim underwater, chasing after their prey.
Pelicans often breed on remote islands or inaccessible cliffs.
Such locations enable them to avoid predatos and also to nest in large colonies.
The northern gannet is perhaps the most dramatic of all pelicans in the manner in which it feeds.
Northern gannets plunge dive from heights of up to 150 ft and at speeds of up to 60 mph. They spot their prey before they dive using sharp vision and then tuck their wings back as the plummet in for the kill.
The nostrils of pelicans are narrow or closed slits.
This adaptation prevents water from being forced into their airways when they dive into the water. Since their nostrils are closed (or nearly closed), pelicans and their relatives breath through their mouth
Most pelicans have a pouch-like gular sac.
Pelicans have a pouch on their lower bill which enables them to scoop up fish. The species most suited for diving to catch prey (such as cormorants and gannets) ingest stones that weight them down and help them plunge into the water more efficiently. They also have streamlined bodies and narrow nostrils (to prevent water from rushing in during a dive).
HOPE YOU ENJOY THE CACHE