"Finicky Gourmand" Brown Pelican 21 x 29 Colored Pencil-Oil Pastel Illustration Board

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A quick description of the Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis):

Unique among the world's seven species of pelicans, the Brown Pelican is found along ocean shores and not on inland lakes. It is the only dark pelican and also the only one that plunges from the air into the water to catch its food.

Adult Description:

Large, dark waterbird.

Long bill with extensible pouch.

Legs short.

Body large and heavy.

Feet webbed.

Wings long and broad.

Tail short.

Soars close to water surface.

Dives from the air into the water.

Juvenile Description:

Dirty brown all over with white belly.

Pale line along middle of underwing.

Bill gray-brown.

Yearling Description:

Similar, but more gray on back and with some white feathers on sides of head and neck.

Bill becomes paler and may have some yellow or orange.

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