#Weird Animal Wednesdays The Coastal Triathlete - The Brown Pelican If youve ever taken an auto trip, youve probably seen bicyclists riding closely behind each other in a straight line. This technique, called a pace line, allows the riders an opportunity to draft the cyclist just in front, cutting down wind resistance for subsequent riders. And if youve walked one of our beaches you probably have seen brown pelicans, Pelecanus occidentalis, flying in a similar formation. What those pelicans do instinctively takes most bicyclists weeks or months to perfect. For a brown pelican that can weigh up to 15 pounds, its truly an energy-saving technique, allowing these birds to ride the marine air currents, rising and falling with the waves, with minimum effort. For more cool facts (like how it doesnt break its trachea diving into the water) visit gtmresearchreserve.blogspot/2014/09/a-coastal-triathlete-brown-pelican.html youtu.be/wfLl26yzpk8 Audobon Society
Posted on: Wed, 17 Sep 2014 14:09:31 +0000
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