If you're a birder, you'll know what a life list is. It's basically a list of all the bird species one has observed and positively ID'd in one's lifetime. This blog is a record of my "critter" life list (mostly of birds), including photos I've taken over the years, some of the actual lifer if I was lucky enough to get the shot. Don't expect National Geographic quality stuff here, just the work of an amateur photog who loves to trudge out into nature.

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)


8/19/04 Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo County, CA

 8/7/17 Oceano Dunes SVRA, Pismo State Beach, San Luis Obispo County, CA
10/27/02 Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, Huntington Beach, Orange County, CA 


3/9/02 Rocks off beach across from Malibu Creek Lagoon (access from Cross Creek Rd off PCH), Malibu Creek State Park, Los Angeles County, CA


6/8/02 Salt Creek Campground, Salton Sea, Imperial County, CA


1/14/01 Andree Clark Bird Refuge, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, CA

LIFE LIST NOTES:

COMMON NAME: Brown Pelican

SPECIES: Pelecanus occidentalis 

FAMILY: Pelecanidae (Pelicans)

LIFE LIST DATE1/14/2001

LOCATION: Andree Clark Bird Refuge, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, CA

From Stokes Field Guide to Birds-Western Region & Kaufman Focus Guide-Birds of North America:

HABITAT/BEHAVIOR: Flap and glide over the surf or plunge from high in the air to capture fish in their huge bills. Mostly rare inland, but a few wander into the southwest every summer, and large numbers may visit Salton Sea, CA. Endangered at one time by effects of pesticides, these pelicans have made a good comeback since the use of DDT was outlawed. 

IDENTIFYING MARKS: 45"; a large coastal bird; gray-brown body and wings; large dark bill; dark throat pouch. Neck all white in non breeding adult; nape is brown in breeding adult. 

VOICE: Adults usually quiet; at nest give a soft check check. Young at nest can give loud barks and screams as they compete for food. 

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