How Pelican's Mate
How Pelican's Mate
Pelicans gather together in groups of approx. 40,000. on shorelines. Environment conditions such as rainfall, can affect their breeding rituals.
When do pelican's mate?
Pelicans can mate any time of year
Pelican courtship ritual
The female pelican lures the males in groups of 2 or more around the colony with the males following close behind threatening one another by swinging their large bills side to side, in hopes of getting the female to pay attention to them and many pick up dry fish, sticks, or other objects and throw it in the air while vying for the attentions of the desired female. During this process the bird's bill and pouch change colors with the front of the pouch turning salmon pink and the skin of the throat turning a bright yellow..
Pouch Ripping
Both male and female participate in a ritual called "pouch ripping" which involves them clapping the bill shut a few times and then allowing the pouch to ripple, much like a flag in the wind.. The males continue to compete with one another and as the "parade" continues many males drop out until there is only one male left. This lone male pelican is then led to the female's nesting site.
"During the courtship period, the bill and pouch of the birds change colour dramatically. The forward half of the pouch becomes bright salmon pink, while the skin of the pouch in the throat region turns chrome yellow. "Parts of the top and base of the bill change to cobalt blue, and a black diagonal strip appears from the base to the tip. This colour change is of short duration, the intensity usually subsiding by the time incubation starts." Read More...
When do pelican's mate?
Pelicans can mate any time of year
Pelican courtship ritual
The female pelican lures the males in groups of 2 or more around the colony with the males following close behind threatening one another by swinging their large bills side to side, in hopes of getting the female to pay attention to them and many pick up dry fish, sticks, or other objects and throw it in the air while vying for the attentions of the desired female. During this process the bird's bill and pouch change colors with the front of the pouch turning salmon pink and the skin of the throat turning a bright yellow..
Pouch Ripping
Both male and female participate in a ritual called "pouch ripping" which involves them clapping the bill shut a few times and then allowing the pouch to ripple, much like a flag in the wind.. The males continue to compete with one another and as the "parade" continues many males drop out until there is only one male left. This lone male pelican is then led to the female's nesting site.
"During the courtship period, the bill and pouch of the birds change colour dramatically. The forward half of the pouch becomes bright salmon pink, while the skin of the pouch in the throat region turns chrome yellow. "Parts of the top and base of the bill change to cobalt blue, and a black diagonal strip appears from the base to the tip. This colour change is of short duration, the intensity usually subsiding by the time incubation starts." Read More...
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Hot News About Birds & Animals
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Contact us: [email protected]