Fine, such places likely only allow arrival and departure on one
side, which might be even more difficult for them than an elevated light pole.
Even so, that observation probably also fits the same idea that I put forward
and you supported, that they favour perching (and my impression loafing) in
such places because it is hard for people or ground-based annoying animals
(such as dogs) to disturb them there.
Philip
From: Stephen Ambrose
[
Sent: Monday, 21 January, 2019 4:51 PM
To: 'Philip Veerman'; 'Geoff Ryan';
Subject: RE: [Birding-Aus] Pelicans perching on poles
Hi
Philip,
Australian
Pelicans roost and rest on rock shelves and large limestone boulders on the
vertical and near-vertical limestone cliffs of the Shoalwater Bay islands
(Penguin Island, Seal Rocks, etc), on Garden Island in Cockburn Sound, and on
the Point Peron Peninsula on the mainland, all locations 45-50 km south of
Perth. I spent a lot of time watching seabirds on and around these
islands and at Point Peron from my early teens to mid-20s. I think
that perching on lamp posts is just an extension of that behaviour. While many
of these rocky substrates had a larger surface area than a lamp post for
pelicans to land on, they often have uneven surfaces, making it difficult for
pelicans to maintain their footing or balance.
Stephen
Ambrose
Ryde
NSW
From: Birding-Aus
<> On Behalf Of Philip Veerman
Sent: 21 January 2019 10:44 AM
To: 'Geoff Ryan' <>;
Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Pelicans perching on poles
Well that can be true. Taking off from a lamp post is easy
and this may compensate for the effort it takes of getting up there. Pelicans
are great soarers once they get high and use the warm air for lift, also great
at low flight over water but there is a lot of energy involved in getting those
first several metres from the ground or water up to a pole. But maybe that is
not actually difficult. I still think the real advantage is that they can sit
there undisturbed, just other words for exposed the pelican to dangers. Next
question is: are there places where there are many pelicans and high roosts
available and a lack of disturbance from people and dogs and do they regularly
do this in that situation. Yes Albatross have that problem (has anyone seen an
albatross perched on a pole?). Pelicans are not great at running. They can
become airborne from a stationary start from the ground with a jump into the
air and deep flap. Not sure what real dangers it would be subject to ……. sharks
in the water, in which case, starting flying is a big benefit over not flying
at all.
Philip
From: Birding-Aus
On Behalf Of Geoff Ryan
Sent: Monday, 21 January, 2019 6:59 AM
To:
Subject: [Birding-Aus] Pelicans perching on poles
One of the major problems of being a pelican is taking off
from land or water - this requires much energy and exposes the pelican to
dangers. Taking off from a lamp post is as simple as a step into free air.
Pelicans, like many vultures and albatross, are like gliders and need
assistance to launch.
