What do people think of when they hear of Assateague Island? Many think of the wild horses and the pony swim from Assateague to Chincoteague Island. The pony swim was yesterday. However, there is much in terms of wildlife to see at Assateague. One bird that is prevalent is the brown pelican.
Breeding Adult Brown Pelicans
I made a world wind trip to Assateague earlier in the week. I injured my knee a few months ago and only have small windows to make short trips. Brown pelicans like to fly above the surf. I have seen them early in the morning at sunrise and at other times during the day.
They will fly solo or in small groups.
Sometimes they gather together in small groups on the beach or out beyond the surf. I was lucky to see the two above on the beach. Maryland and New Jersey are in it’s breeding range.
Juvenile BRown Pelicans
Juvenile brown pelicans are mostly brown. The adults have more white around their heads. A few juveniles were hanging out with some adults.
According to all About Birds, “They have thin necks and very long bills with a stretchy throat pouch used for capturing fish.” They scoop them up in their throat pouches, which are expandable. According to the NPS.gov site they also use their neck pouches to cool off on a hot day.
This year was the first trip I have seen the pelicans this close. They flew closer to land at the beach and over land. I have not seen them standing on the beach before on previous trips. Even though I only had a short window it was a great trip.
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Glorious.
Gwen.
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They are!
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Beautiful!
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As you were leaving the island there were loads of horses on the beach and when we went to the fence on the Virginia border a pelican resting on every wooden fence post out in the water. Figures!
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I saw the horses on the beach just after sunrise. That last night they were clomping down the road in the middle of the night. Next time I am bringing a wildlife cam. I’m convinced pelicans would rather be by less people.
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I absolutely love the photographs. I started out thinking the first one was my favorite but everyone after that made me just realized that I loved all of them. Just wonderful and the sweet pelicans are so beautiful.
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They remind me of a dinosaur bird.
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I never thought of it that way, but now that you said it….
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These are such beautiful photos, and brown pelicans are very beautiful birds. I love their distinctive appearance, characteristic pouch on their long bill and graceful behaviour. Thanks for sharing, and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx
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Wonderful shots.
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