World_of_Animals_Issue_46_2017

The incredible lives of seabirds
This large-billed bird is actually
the world’s smallest pelican
Once listed as an endangered
species, the brown pelican has
bounced back and is now a
common sight throughout the
Americas. Although it’s one of the
largest seabirds we’re covering,
the brown pelican is actually the
smallest of the eight pelicans.
However, it maintains the typical
characteristics of the species,
particularly its large, unmistakable
bill, which is perfect for capturing
its primary food – fish. An
accomplished hunter, this bulky
seabird likes to catch its prey by
diving into the water to catch any
stunned fish, although it will also
take small invertebrates when it
gets the chance.
Extremely gregarious, the brown
pelican is typical of many seabirds
in that it likes to breed in large
colonies, which helps to protect
it from predators. It typically lays
two to four eggs and has one
brood a year. In addition to being
the national bird of St Kitts, it’s
also the state bird of Louisiana.
BroWn Pelican
Pelecanus occidentalis
class Aves
Territory North and South
America
Diet Small fish and
invertebrates
lifespan On average 10-20
years
adult weight 2-5kg
(4.4-11Ib)
conservation status
LEAST CONCERN
“This bulky seabird
likes to catch its
prey by diving into
the water to catch
any stunned fish”
Disturb the fulmar and you’ll receive
a very nasty surprise indeed
The northern fulmar is a true seabird in the
sense that it only comes to land in order to
breed a single, white egg. Like many other
members of its family, the northern fulmar
has prominent looking nostrils that can
norThern fulmar
Fulmarus glacialis
class Aves
Territory North America,
Greenland, Iceland, northern
Europe, northern Asia
Diet Fish, plankton, squid,
jellyfish, shrimp, carrion and
refuse
lifespan 32 years on average
adult weight 450-1000g
(15.9-35.3oz)
conservation status
discrete a stomach oil to repel predators or
provide a nourishing food source (handy,
considering how long the bird spends at sea).
Its actual name derives from Old Norse, with
fÚll meaning ‘foul’ and már meaning ‘gull’.
Role reversal plays an
important part in this
penguin’s upbringing
These iconic birds are endemic to Antarctica, and
they do things differently to many other animals
when it comes to parenting. Young emperor
penguin eggs are incubated by the male while
the female searches for food. They are expert
divers, able to stay underwater for up to 20
minutes in search of food, while their barbed
tongue stops a caught meal from escaping.
emPeror Penguin
Aptenodytes forsteri
class Aves
Territory Antarctica
Diet Fish, cephalopods and
crustaceans
lifespan 15-20 years
adult weight 22-45kg
(48-99lb)
conservation status
LEAST CONCERN
NEAR THREATENED
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