James The Young Brown Pelican - Pelicans In The U.S.

James The Young Brown Pelican
by Bob Kranich

(Excerpt 9)

We have just completed the story about “James The Young Pelican”. Here is some information from the back of the book that I would like to give to you before we go on to a new book. In fact the new one is about the Smokies, which is a place a lot of folks from Florida like to visit.

Pelicans in the United States

The Brown and White pelicans are the two species that reside in the United States. The brown is found on the Atlantic, Gulf and Pacific coasts.

The Browns of the Americas are the smallest of the eight types of pelicans in the world. Browns have a 6 to 7 foot wingspan compared to the Dalmatian pelicans of Southeastern Europe, India and China, which have a 9 to 10 foot plus wingspan. The only other pelican in North America is the American White pelican which is much bigger than the Brown. The White does not reside primarily along the Atlantic coast but inland. It can also be found on the Pacific side.

The pelican is known for its long bill and pouch beneath. Strangely the pouch is for catching fish. Pelicans are excellent swimmers. They have large webbed feet and very strong legs. Pelicans weigh the most of all flying birds but can float very well. This is because they have air pockets in their bones.

In 1903 President Roosevelt made Pelican Island in Florida the first national wildlife refuge. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act passed in 1918 gave protection to pelicans among others. This saved the birds from the plume trade of the 1800’s.

The Brown pelicans are an example of successful wildlife conservation. By the 1970’s the Brown pelican had to be listed as Endangered Species. Pesticides such as DDT were jeopardizing the strength of pelican eggs. They were too thin and would break during incubation. In 1972 the use of DDT was banned. Between 1985 and 1990 pelicans numbers increased which enabled them to be taken off the Endangered Species list.

Today the primary danger to pelicans is being tangled in fishing line. As many as 700 adults and young die from this each year.

Both the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Audubon Society have sanctuaries and preserves where shore birds such as the pelican are protected.

About the Book

“James the Young Brown Pelican” is a fictional story of a young Brown pelican. He is dissatisfied with the pelican’s normal way of life, just looking for fish and eating. He wants to so something else with his life. He is excited about flying high and a speedy dive. This is a Christian book about faith and you will learn more about the life of pelicans. Since the Brown pelican is found along both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, you will also learn about the pelican’s life in the Florida Keys and Key West itself.

The book is illustrated by watercolors, sketches, and photos, to include many photos by the great nature photographer, Ron Reznick.