Search results for Breeding

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Brown Pelican on Pedestal Rock Portrait at Sunrise, adult non-breeding winter plumage, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, La Jolla, California
Sunrise Portrait of Brown Pelican Perched Over the Pacific Ocean, non-breeding adult winter plumage, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, La Jolla, California
Brandt's Cormorant Flying in La Jolla, lit by early morning sun, non-breeding plumage, Phalacrocorax penicillatus
Brown pelican in flight. Adult winter non-breeding plumage. Brown pelicans were formerly an endangered species. In 1972, the United States Environmental Protection Agency banned the use of DDT in part to protect bird species like the brown pelican . Since that time, populations of pelicans have recovered and expanded. The recovery has been so successful that brown pelicans were taken off the endangered species list in 2009, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, La Jolla, California
A brown pelican preening, reaching with its beak to the uropygial gland (preen gland) near the base of its tail. Preen oil from the uropygial gland is spread by the pelican's beak and back of its head to all other feathers on the pelican, helping to keep them water resistant and dry. Adult winter breeding plumage, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, La Jolla, California
California brown pelican in flight, spreading wings wide to slow in anticipation of landing on seacliffs. Note the classic winter breeding plumage, with bright red throat, yellow and white head and neck, and brown hind neck. Other birds at the periphery of the image hint at how crowded the cliff is, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, La Jolla
Male Brandt's Cormorant Skypointing, Courtship Display, Breeding Plumage with blue throat and a few white pin-feathers, La Jolla. Skypointing is an interesting courtship behavior that many birds practice. Among Brandt's Cormorants the male performs this, likely as a way of attracting a mate to the nest he has built by showing off his striking blue throat. He tips his head backward showing off his striking blue throat, and partially raises his wings. Seen here on seacliffs above the ocean, Phalacrocorax penicillatus
Royal Tern in flight, adult breeding plumage with black head cap, sea lions and waves in the background, Sterna maxima, Thalasseus maximus, La Jolla, California
California Brown Pelican claps its jaws mandibles, sometimes rapidly several times, perhaps to dislodge debris or simply because its fun and feels good. This is not the same as the "yawn" that precedes a head throw. Adult winter breeding plumage with brown hind-neck, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, La Jolla
A perfect Brown Pelican Head Throw with Distant Ocean in Background, bending backwards, stretching its neck and gular pouch, winter adult breeding plumage coloration, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, La Jolla, California
California Brown Pelican head throw, stretching its throat to keep it flexible and healthy. Note the unusual yellow coloration of the gular pouch, which is normally red in winter adults. Yellow morph, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, La Jolla
Double-crested cormorant in breeding plumage showing crest feathers on head. La Jolla, California, USA, Phalacrocorax auritus
Two California Brown Pelicans performing a perfectly synchronous simultaneous head throw. Both display classic winter breeding plumage. Set against the Pacific Ocean, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, La Jolla
Brown pelicans jousting, with bright red throat, yellow and white head and brown hind neck, winter plumage, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, La Jolla, California
Portrait of two California brown pelicans with breeding plumage, note the striking red throat, yellow and white head, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, La Jolla
A California brown pelican preening, rubbing the back of its head and neck on the uropygial gland (preen gland) near the base of its tail. Preen oil from the uropygial gland is spread by the pelican's beak and back of its head to all other feathers on the pelican, helping to keep them water resistant and dry. Adult winter non-breeding plumage showing white hindneck and red gular throat pouch (but transitioning to brown hind neck), Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, La Jolla
California Brown pelican performing a head throw, with breeding plumage including distinctive yellow and white head feathers, red gular throat pouch, brown hind neck and greyish body, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, La Jolla
A brown pelican preening, reaching with its beak to the uropygial gland (preen gland) near the base of its tail. Preen oil from the uropygial gland is spread by the pelican's beak and back of its head to all other feathers on the pelican, helping to keep them water resistant and dry, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, La Jolla, California
Brown pelican close-up portrait, orange-red bill with pink tissue surrounding eyes, yellow and white head feathers, adult winter non-breeding plumage, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, La Jolla, California
Brown pelican in flight with wings spread wide, slowing as it returns from the ocean to land on seacliffs, adult winter non-breeding plumage, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, La Jolla, California
California brown pelican full body portrait, perched on rock over the ocean in sunlight, adult winter non-breeding plumage, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, La Jolla
Royal Tern in flight, adult non-breeding plumage, La Jolla, Sterna maxima, Thalasseus maximus
Royal Tern in flight, adult non-breeding plumage, La Jolla, Sterna maxima, Thalasseus maximus
Royal Tern in flight, adult non-breeding plumage, La Jolla, Sterna maxima, Thalasseus maximus
Royal Tern in flight, adult non-breeding plumage, La Jolla, Sterna maxima, Thalasseus maximus
A juvenile brown pelican preening, reaching with its beak to the uropygial gland (preen gland) near the base of its tail. Preen oil from the uropygial gland is spread by the pelican's beak and back of its head to all other feathers on the pelican, helping to keep them water resistant and dry. Adult winter non-breeding plumage. Pelican yoga, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, La Jolla, California
Vrksasana, Tree Pose, pelican yoga. Unusual Brown Pelican Coloration. This California brown pelican has an unusual man bun (or samurai top knot) of brown feathers as opposed the usual back of the neck coverage. Note also the unusual mottling and spots on the head feathers. Odd bird, perhaps a sub-adult transition to adulthood?, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, La Jolla
Two California Brown Pelicans Side by Side Portrait, in overcast light, both transitioning to winter adult breeding plumage, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, La Jolla
Brown Pelican with open mouth and throat pouch, with Distant Ocean in Background, stretching its neck and gular pouch, winter adult non-breeding plumage coloration, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, La Jolla, California
California Brown pelican in flight, La Jolla, wings outstretched, spreading wings wide to slow in anticipation of landing on seacliffs. Adult winter breeding plumage colors, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
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