Pelican and their Fish

An adult pelican may eat up to 1.8 kilograms of fish per day!

The brown pelican is a keen-eyed predator that can spot a fish swimming under the ocean’s surface even while flying almost 20 m above.

Its bigger cousin, the Peruvian pelican, also has great vision. Once a target has been spotted from above, the pelicans plunge into the sea bill-first at high speeds—and often from great height. When they collide with the prey, the impact force usually stuns the victim and it is then scooped up in the pouch.

Pelican eats fish_Melanie Franz

Pelican Landing

The brown pelican is a unique feeder that makes impressive dives from above the surface. They fly just above the surface of the water, then circle high, and when ready dive headfirst, plunging under water to catch fish.

They are able to dive from as high as 30 meters! The deeper the meal the higher the dive.

This pelican landing turned out purple for artistic expression.

20_07 Pelican landing_Melanie Franz

Prey of the Pelican

This one just caught his dinner.

The diet of pelicans usually consists of fish. The size of the preferred prey fish varies depending on pelican species and location.

But did you know that occasionally they also eat amphibians, turtles, crustaceans, insects, birds, and mammals?

20_06-pelican-fish_Melanie Franz Watercolour

Plight of the Pelican

I am currently doing a study of pelicans for an image making course I am taking. After months of absence from drawing I am getting into it again. That means you can expect more pelicans.

This pelican is hungry.

20_06 Pelican purple_Melanie Franz

Flight of the Pelican

The last couple of months just flew by. As they say, time flies when you are having fun and things are all over the place.

After spending the last 4 months enjoying life in Greece and Switzerland due to multiple flight cancellations, I am finally back on the island. As drawing came rather short the last months I am eager to take it up again.

One of the fondest memories of recent years is when we were watching pelicans surfing the waves of the Pacific Ocean in Guatemala. It looked like they where having a blast!