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;Pelecanus thagus | ;Pelecanus thagus | ||
| − | [[Image:Peruvian_Pelican.jpg|thumb| | + | [[Image:Peruvian_Pelican.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by Alastair Rae]] |
| + | Location: Arica, Chile | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
| − | + | ||
| + | The Peruvian Pelican, Pelecanus thagus also known as Galapagos Brown Pelican is a member of the pelican family. | ||
| + | |||
| + | These birds are dark in colour with a white stripe from the top of the bill, up to the crown and down the sides of the neck. They have long tufted feathers on the top of their heads. | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | ==Distribution== | ||
| + | It lives on the west coast of South America, from Lobos de Tierra Island in Peru to Pupuya Islet in Chile. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| + | ==Habitat== | ||
| + | These pelicans can be found in salt water bays, beaches, and shallow estuaries. | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | ==Behaviour== | ||
| + | The main breeding season occurs from September to March. Clutch size is usually two or three eggs. Eggs are incubated for approximately 4 to 5 weeks, with the rearing period lasting about 3 months. | ||
| + | |||
| + | This bird feeds on several fish species, showing a strong preference for Peruvian Anchovies. It feeds by plunge-diving, like its close relative the Brown Pelican. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Peruvian Pelicans are especially hard hit during El Nino-related periods. The anchovies on which they feast head for cooler and deeper waters, severely affecting the food supply of these pelicans. These birds are especially important in Peru since they are the third most important guano producing seabird. | ||
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==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
*[http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/showgallery.php?mcats=all&what=allfields&si=peruvian+pelican View more images of Peruvian Pelican in the gallery] | *[http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/showgallery.php?mcats=all&what=allfields&si=peruvian+pelican View more images of Peruvian Pelican in the gallery] | ||
[[Category:Birds]] | [[Category:Birds]] | ||
Revision as of 14:07, 20 July 2007
- Pelecanus thagus
Location: Arica, Chile
Identification
The Peruvian Pelican, Pelecanus thagus also known as Galapagos Brown Pelican is a member of the pelican family.
These birds are dark in colour with a white stripe from the top of the bill, up to the crown and down the sides of the neck. They have long tufted feathers on the top of their heads.
Distribution
It lives on the west coast of South America, from Lobos de Tierra Island in Peru to Pupuya Islet in Chile.
Taxonomy
Habitat
These pelicans can be found in salt water bays, beaches, and shallow estuaries.
Behaviour
The main breeding season occurs from September to March. Clutch size is usually two or three eggs. Eggs are incubated for approximately 4 to 5 weeks, with the rearing period lasting about 3 months.
This bird feeds on several fish species, showing a strong preference for Peruvian Anchovies. It feeds by plunge-diving, like its close relative the Brown Pelican.
Peruvian Pelicans are especially hard hit during El Nino-related periods. The anchovies on which they feast head for cooler and deeper waters, severely affecting the food supply of these pelicans. These birds are especially important in Peru since they are the third most important guano producing seabird.
