The only non-white pelican in the world, the Louisiana State bird has appealed to the hearts of bird lovers everywhere. Admirers watch in awe of the birds dramatic hunt – plunging into the surf up to 30 feet with it’s wings half folded after small fish. In a successful hunt the pelican takes both water and fish into its pouched bill, then strains out the water before throwing its head back to swallow the fish. A mature Brown Pelican has a mostly gray body, a long white neck which adorns a brown strip along the back during breeding season (summer), and a yellow crest. Immature birds are mostly white with defined brown wings and head. The Brown Pelican prefers salt waters and can often be seen perched majestically on fishing piers. Pelicans have a powerful stroking flight alternating with short glides, often only inches above the water. The birds travel and nest in small flocks, seen flying high above in long lines.
