Pelecanus occidentalis Linnaeus 1766

Brown Pelican

Species recognized by The Integrated Taxonomic Information System external link, T Orrell (custodian) in 
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC) external link Showing: scientific names

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Pelecanus occidentalis Linnaeus 1766

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Pelecanus occidentalis
Pelecanus.occidentalis
Pelecanus occidentalis
Pelecanus occidentalis
Pelecanus occidentalis Linnaeus, 1766
Pelecanus occidentalis Linnaeus, 1766
Pelecanus occidentalis
Pelecanus occidentalis
Pelecanus occidentalis

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General Description

Body protected from diving impact: brown pelican

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©2008-2009, The Biomimicry Institute. Some rights reserved external link
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The Biomimicry Institute
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The body of the brown pelican is protected from impact during plunge-diving thanks to subcutaneous air-sacs.

   
  "Several species of pelicans, boobies, and gannets have extensive subcutaneous air sacs.6,18 In the plunge-diving brown pelicans these air sacs are thought to serve as shock absorbers to decrease the impact of hitting water from great heights.6" (Fowler and Miller 2003:118)

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References
  • Fowler, ME; Miller, RE. 2003. Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Co.
Cynthia Parr. Editor. "Pelecanus occidentalis Linnaeus 1766". Encyclopedia of Life, available from "http://www.eol.org/pages/1048599". Accessed 21 Mar 2010.