The Pelican, A 40 Million Year Old Fisherman

With a somewhat prehistoric appearance, often awkward and clumsy, even delightfully clownish, pelicans are a picture of grace in the air. Fossils of pelicans have been found that date back 40 million years.

Although there are 8 different species of pelicans, they all have the famous long beak with a pouch that is used for catching fish. The 8 species are: Brown Pelicans and American White Pelicans which are found along the seashores and lakes of North America, Australian Pelicans, Eastern White Pelicans which inhabit Eurasia, Dalmatian Pelicans found in Southern Eurasia, Spot-Billed Pelicans of southeast Asia, Peruvian Pelicans and Pink-Backed Pelicans which reside in Africa, southern Arabia and Madagascar.

Pelicans are very social birds and move in flocks. It's fun to watch them interact with each other when they are on land. When you see a flock of pelicans flying overhead, they are commonly strung out in a line. They also breed in colonies, usually on an island. The pelican's average lifespan is 10 to 25 years.

The Brown Pelicans of North America became endangered in the 1950's because of the widespread use of the pesticide, DDT, which damaged their eggs. After it was banned, the numbers increased again and have recovered in most states. The Dalmation and Spot-Billed Pelicans are endangered because of loss of habitat in their areas.

There are eight species of pelicans.

Pelicans are found on every continent except Antartica.

The brown pelican is the Louisiana State Bird.

The Australian pelican is thought to have the longest beak of any bird in the world.

White pelicans can fill their throat pouches with as much as 3 gallons of water.

Young pelicans get their food by sticking their bills into the adult's throat.