California brown pelican uropygial gland preening, Pelecanus occidentalis

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. Note the yellow throat of this individual, different than the more typical red throat. La Jolla, California, USA, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, natural history stock photograph, photo id 36844
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. Note the yellow throat of this individual, different than the more typical red throat. La Jolla, California, USA

This image is featured in: Preening, Seabirds and the Uropygial Gland, Brown Pelican Yellow Morph, with Yellow Gular Pouch (Throat) instead of Red, California Brown Pelicans in La Jolla, New Portrait and Flight Images

Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California
Image ID: 36844
Format: Digital 3:2
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