Pelicans are large aquatic birds recognized by their distinctive throat pouches, which they use to capture prey. These fascinating birds, found on every continent except Antarctica, primarily inhabit coastal and inland waterways. Their diet is diverse, centering mainly on fish, and their feeding behaviors showcase remarkable adaptations.
A Diverse Menu: What Pelicans Eat
Pelicans primarily eat fish, which they swallow whole. They are opportunistic feeders, consuming a wide variety of species from both freshwater and saltwater habitats, depending on their location. Common fish in their diet include herring, anchovies, sardines, minnows, carp, and mullet. An adult pelican can consume up to 4 pounds (1.8 kilograms) of fish per day.
Beyond fish, pelicans supplement their diet with other aquatic creatures. When fish are scarce, they may eat amphibians like frogs and tadpoles, crustaceans such as crabs and crayfish, and small reptiles like turtles and lizards. Occasionally, pelicans consume eggs, nestlings of other bird species, or small mammals. The Australian pelican has even been recorded taking carrion and various small animals.
Pelican Hunting Techniques
Pelicans use various strategies to acquire food, often utilizing their throat pouch, known as a gular pouch, as a scooping net. This pouch is made of elastic skin and can expand significantly to hold fish and water. After scooping prey, pelicans drain the water from the pouch before swallowing their catch.
Plunge-diving is a hunting method predominantly used by the Brown Pelican and Peruvian Pelican. These birds soar high, sometimes up to 60-70 feet (18-21 meters), then fold their wings and dive headfirst into the water to stun or capture fish near the surface. Air sacs under their skin cushion the impact of these high-speed dives, and they often rotate slightly left upon entry to protect internal organs.
Other pelican species, such as the American White Pelican, Australian Pelican, and Great White Pelican, typically engage in cooperative fishing. They often work in groups, forming lines or semicircles to herd schools of fish into shallow water or dense clusters. By beating their wings on the water, they drive fish towards the shore, making them easier to scoop up. This collaborative approach allows them to catch many fish efficiently.
Dietary Differences by Species and Habitat
Pelican diets vary significantly depending on their species and the environment they inhabit. Coastal species, such as the Brown Pelican, primarily feed on saltwater fish like anchovies and sardines. Their hunting techniques are adapted to these coastal waters, allowing them to effectively capture schooling fish.
Inland species, like the American White Pelican, typically frequent freshwater lakes, rivers, and marshes. Their diet reflects the fish species available in these habitats, such as carp, Sacramento perch, and rainbow trout. Prey availability also influences their diet, with seasonal changes dictating abundant food sources. The specific types of fish and occasional inclusion of other animals are determined by the local ecosystem and each pelican species’ hunting behaviors.