| Most comical Pelican landing we’ve seen was one landing in very top of Norfolk ISland pine. It managed to get one foot onto the short horizontal branch and then tried to put the other onto the vertical tip of the tree. After much trying to keep balance while trying to grab the tip, it gave up and flew away (probably looking for a pole).
Though not often, Pelicans do successfully use the pine trees.
Peter and Bev Morgan The conservation battle is never finally won; the development battle is.
eiπ + 1 = 0. ——————————————————————————————-
On 20 Jan 2019, at 4:37 pm, Stephen Ambrose <> wrote:
This form of pelican behaviour is quite common in coastal towns along the entire coast of NSW. From Laurie’s email, it appears that this behaviour extends into Qld. I think it is, as Philip suggests, a way of avoiding human disturbances that might otherwise occur at ground level. David mentioned that bird wire is sometimes strung along the top of street lights to prevent large birds, including pelicans, from landing there. Rollers are also used, similar to those employed to stop pet cats from scrambling over the top of garden fences. A pelican, gull or cormorant is unable to maintain its balance when landing on the roller (because it rolls) and the bird flies off. The rollers are more effective than wires because they have a longer lifespan. Stephen Ambrose Ryde NSW Non-native parakeets in Brussels, Belgium, roost on lighting towers because, unlike trees and most other structures, they are warm overnight when the lights are on. Might the pelicans have noticed this too - or do they only perch rather than roosting?
Thanks for all the responses. To clarify, I was not in any way suggesting that what I was seeing is unusual. Pizzey’s book mentions it. Most responses are from coastal SE Australia, so I am still not sure how widespread the habit is. I think that the strangest one is that Sandra mentioned them roosting high in dead trees at the Mugga Lane tip. I go there often (both the tip and along Long Gully road). Maybe I’m guilty of watching the road whilst driving, (lots of kangaroos there). That is even stranger than at coastal venues. I was more angling at obtaining hints on the context for why these birds should do that. It is not as though they are Sea-Eagles looking for an opportunity to swoop down on a fish. It is not that they are getting away from other pelicans, as they even have 3 pelicans perched on 3 lights on one pole. They clearly like to do this and it has some benefit, as it is a high energy behaviour. I notice most of the venues reported are beachside communities with lots of passing, walking, running, etc humans. For now the best explanation I can offer is maybe the reason is as simple as when perched up there, they are immune from being bothered and having to walk, fly or swim away from passing people, dogs, or whatever. And they can stay there unbothered until they decide to come down. That will be my theory for now. When on the ground they sure do “appear” to act indignant at having to get out of the way. I wonder can there be any other benefit? Philip
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