Both the white and the brown pelican live in America, and other species are found throughout the world. Huge colonies nest on ocean islands — others prefer inland lakes or ocean bays and beaches. Their nests may be made of water plants, mud or even stones and sand. The pelicans don’t seem too particular.
The white pelican is as much as five feet long and has a ten-foot wing spread; the brown pelican is somewhat smaller. Its heavy body is supported by strong, short legs and large, webbed feet. It has a long neck with a big head which is mostly a long flat bill, the upper half having a sharp hook on it. The lower portion is equipped with an elastic pouch which stretches out, forming a big scoop. After scooping up a fish (water and all), the pouch is contracted, squeezing out the water before the fish is swallowed.
Spotting a fish from the air, this big bird drops like a bomb, stretches its neck straight out, and with folded wings enters the water with a great splash, shortly reappearing with one or more fish in its pouch. At other times a dozen or more work together. Landing in a semicircle on the deep-water side of a school of fish, the pelicans beat their strong wings in the water, driving their prey to the shallow shoreline where they are easily caught. Who taught them this clever trick? No one but God, their Creator, who also provided them with air pockets under their skin and hollow bones, so they are never in danger of sinking. How wonderfully He adapts every creature to its manner of life!
Young ones are born with bare, pink skin, but are soon covered with down and later by true feathers. The parents carefully protect them from the hot sun when they are first hatched, always standing over them in such a way as to keep them in the shade of their big bodies.
Once in the air this otherwise clumsy bird becomes a graceful flier and can fly long distances. When taking off from the water, it must first run along the surface, beating the air with its powerful wings in order to lift off. When several fly together they fly in a V-formation and beat their wings in unison. The Creator has given them this instinct, because flying in this manner produces air currents which make flying easier. The air pockets beneath their skin and the lightness of their bones are great helps in their ability to fly so well.
Pelicans may seem like strange birds, but they are part of the “works of the Lord” stated in our verse. Whenever we watch them, as well as every other creature, we should consider how He not only made them, but watches over them with loving care, as He does with every one of us.
ML-01/06/1985