Pterodactyl sighting!!

[RavensGryf]

...Second thought, it might just be a California Brown Pelican

We were walking by the beach today, and there were people fishing off the pier. That's what this guy is looking at. He's eyeing their fish and bait, and waiting for someone to let their guard down! My SO claims that by an identifying mark on it's beak, that it's the same one that hangs out there every year.

After I snapped this first pic, he flew down to the ground. Then he let us (small crowd of people) get fairly close to him. He did, however, chase off a little kid with open beak lol!

Not sure if it's a male or female. From what I've read, male and female are the same color, but it must be breeding season, indicated by the more colorful head, neck, and beak. I thought it was HUGE, although the article I read said the Brown is the smallest Pelican species. Still has a 6+ foot wingspan. Check out the "duck" feet!

 

[Allee]

If not a pterodactyl, definitely a direct descendant! I love him! Thank you for posting pics of the local celeb, Julie! He's a healthy looking character.

 

[RavensGryf]

I loved seeing it! The pics make it look so much smaller than it was. It was a pretty large bird. I guess Pelicans don't need tails? It's tiny lol!

 

[JerseyWendy]

Beautiful pictures, Julie!!!

I remember going absolutely GA-GA when I was in California and saw them (for the first time in my life). I took pictures and videos, in total awe at their ginormous size as they were flying above us. :11:

 

[GreatBlue320]

Great photos! Amazing to see such a magnificent bird up close.

 

[Christinenc2000]

Great Pictures. Would love to see one in the wild like that

 

[DexMom]

That is so cool! I would love to have a pterodactyl encounter like that!

 

[Sunset_Chaser]

Awesome pics! Thanks for sharing Julie!

 

[Anansi]

Love the pterodactyl pics, Lady Jules! Nice that you were able to get that close.

And that species is considered a smaller pelican, eh? Wow. That's a big boy.

 

[Jayyj]

Definitely one of my favourite bird species.

A couple of years ago I was in California an hour or so south of San Francisco where I have family and, having in our party a six year old who had her eye on making a sandcastle, we went in search of a suitable beach. Sand found, I wandered off on my own and spotted a bird colony that I decided to check out. It turned out to be over 300 brown pelicans and as the evening got closer hundreds more were drifting in overhead. I don't think I'vs ever seen so many birds, certainly of their size - quite breath taking and awe inspiring. They seemed total unfussed by me. One of my best wildlife experiences ever.

 

[RavensGryf]

Thanks, it definitely was a cool experience. It looked like an exotic bird! I wonder why it was single, rather than in a flock. I guess it was so used to humans, you could all but pet it lol.

Stephen, I was surprised at the size. I don't know geese but it was bigger than some that I've seen.

Jayyj, I think I remember you sharing that experience here? Wow, sounds amazing!

 

[thekarens]

I love pelicans! We get both brown and white here. Brown are my favorite!

 

[RavensGryf]

I love pelicans! We get both brown and white here. Brown are my favorite!

I figured you've seen them Karen. Must be cool to see the white ones too. Have you been birding lately? Or is that usually only in the spring/summer?

 

[Psittaciformes]

Woaah, cool! That's one big bird lol

 

[Kiwibird]

He is so cool looking Julie! Definitely looks prehistoric. If that's a small pelican, not sure I'd want to encounter the largest variety

 

[Dinosrawr]

So neat! I love their colours. They always look so regal when they have their beaks tucked into their necks. They definitely seem like true descendants of pterodactyls!

Pelicans stupefy me sometimes, considering they have no problem eating innocent little pigeons or gulls nearby them [emoji33]

 

[RavensGryf]

So neat! I love their colours. They always look so regal when they have their beaks tucked into their necks. They definitely seem like true descendants of pterodactyls!

Pelicans stupefy me sometimes, considering they have no problem eating innocent little pigeons or gulls nearby them [emoji33]

Eating birds?! Gulls aren't small! An informational page says their diet is fish. It was funny, one word with a period after it. Fish. I guess everyone needs at least a little variety...

 

[Terry57]

WOW!!! What an amazing, impressive bird! I want!!!

 

[RavensGryf]

I wanted to take him home too Terry!!

 

[Terry57]

Julie, he would have fit right into your flock I would have loved to have seen everyone's reaction to their new roommate