SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY # 6

SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY #6

We have a special bird for today’s Super Surprise Thursday! This bird was once endangered but has made a good recovery thanks to all the people who worked hard to save them. They still have trouble with trash like fishing lines and hooks though. So who is the awesome bird? We bet some of you guessed the Bald Eagle, but you’d be wrong…

MEET THE BROWN PELICAN!

Range/Habitat: North-South America and Caribbean/ shallow coastal waters, estuaries and bays

Diet: Carnivore: fish, crustaceans

Length/Weight: 3 ¼-5ft/ 6-12 lb

Conservation Status: Common

Fun Facts:

• The Brown Pelican is the smallest of all pelican species.
• They are plunge divers. They fly above the surface of the water and then drop or plunge into the sea to catch their prey.
• They are very social and are often seen flying together in flocks!
• Brown pelicans have a greenish skin on their face that is brighter during mating season.
• Brown pelicans like to nest in trees, shrubs and mangroves.
• Both parents incubate eggs. They usually have 2-3 chicks. One chick can eat up to 150 lbs of food by the time they are 10 months old! That’s a bunch of fish for little guys!
• Ever heard the limerick: “The Brown Pelican: His pouch can hold more than his belly can”? Well it is true! The pouch can hold up to 3 gallons and the stomach can hold around 1 gallon.
• Brown pelicans are the state bird of Louisiana.

We love Brown pelicans! They are really majestic birds, despite being a bit funny looking with their big bills and pouches. We’re so happy to hear that people also love these birds enough to help save them!

Check out this video of Julie Scardina with a Brown Pelican on the Today Show!

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xl2nhr_nbc-today-show-soaring-sea-animals-fly-into-studio-1a_news