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Brown Pelicans

Synchronously Preening, Natural Bridges State beach, Santa Cruz, California

Synchronously Preening, Natural Bridges State beach, Santa Cruz, California

I have often observed Brown Pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) behaving with a ‘pack animal’ mentality. If one bird starts to take flight, do a head throw, or forage, others follow suit. This is the case here as well as two birds preen their feathers synchronously.

Brown Pelican Juvenile in Lagoon, Santa Cruz, California Pelican Silhouetted in Flight Brown Pelicans and Moon Brown Pelican Taking Flight from Creek at Sunset, Big Sur, California Pelican on Rock Silhouette Pelican Squadron in Flight Flying Brown Pelican in Breeding Plumage Brown Pelican Coming In For A Landing Santa Cruz Brown Pelican Brown Pelican Gliding over the Ocean, Santa Cruz, Monterey Bay, California Brown Pelican on Contaminated Water Sign, Santa Cruz, California Juvenile Brown Pelican Portrait, Santa Cruz, California Synchronously Preening, Natural Bridges State beach, Santa Cruz, California Brown Pelican Juvenile on Rocks at Sunset Plunge-diving Brown Pelican, Santa Cruz, California Brown Pelican pair preening, Santa Cruz, California Brown Pelican Flapping its Wings at Sunrise, La Jolla, California Brown Pelican Gliding over Wave, Santa Cruz, California