Headthrow Sequence Brown Pelicans of Southern California February 2018
Pelicans practice a peculiar behavior known as a "headthrow". This monumental yawn may aid in maintaining the health and elasticity of their massive gular pouches. The head throw maneuver most often commences with an everted pouch at which point the pelican opens it's mouth while simultaneously tossing it's head posteriorly. Headthrows are random and occur very rapidly with a duration of just several seconds. My 15 image series demonstrates this fascinating and distinct Pelican habit from start to finish.
Bald Eagles and raptors were not the only birds affected by the use of DDT; in fact hundreds of species were adversely affected and during the 1960’s and 70’s, the California Brown Pelican was facing extinction. DDT disrupts calcium metabolism resulting in defective egg shell development. The thin shelled eggs were either incompatible with life or broken during incubation; in either case the thin shells resulted in reproductive failure. In 1971, the Brown Pelican was listed as an endangered species and in 1972, DDT was banned; because of conservation efforts, the Brown Pelican population is now strong and viable. In 2009, nearly 40 years after Brown Pelicans were listed as endangered, they were removed from the Federal endangered species list. Pelicans remain vulnerable to chemicals, oil spills and nesting disruptions as they will hastily abandon their nest and eggs when disturbed.
Read MoreBald Eagles and raptors were not the only birds affected by the use of DDT; in fact hundreds of species were adversely affected and during the 1960’s and 70’s, the California Brown Pelican was facing extinction. DDT disrupts calcium metabolism resulting in defective egg shell development. The thin shelled eggs were either incompatible with life or broken during incubation; in either case the thin shells resulted in reproductive failure. In 1971, the Brown Pelican was listed as an endangered species and in 1972, DDT was banned; because of conservation efforts, the Brown Pelican population is now strong and viable. In 2009, nearly 40 years after Brown Pelicans were listed as endangered, they were removed from the Federal endangered species list. Pelicans remain vulnerable to chemicals, oil spills and nesting disruptions as they will hastily abandon their nest and eggs when disturbed.
