OREGON NATURALLY

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The brown pelicans begin to visit in mid August, fishing minnow runs into September

In the medieval era when myth and theology explained more than science, many Catholic manuscripts, paintings, and sculpture showed the pelican piercing its breast to feed its young its own blood during famine. This was assumed to be nature imitating the saving sacrifice of Christ. The pelican does have to feed its newly hatched young some 150 lbs (68 kg) of fish in the 9 weeks before they can feed themselves.

The 8 to 15 lb (4-7 kg) bird eats up to 4 lbs (1.8 kg) of small fish every day. It can dive from up to 60 ft (18 meters), its crash cushioned by air sacks beneath the skin. The famous gular pouch collects fish and up to 3 gallons (11.3 liters) of water. Then it has to lift its head and beak up to drain the 14 lbs (11 kg) out of the openings at the back of its beak before it lines up the fish for swallowing head first so that their fins do not catch in the throat.

Pelicans sometimes achieve a vertical dive.

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