Brown Pelican
by Chuck Ripper
Title
Brown Pelican
Artist
Chuck Ripper
Medium
Painting - Gouache Watercolor On Masonite
Description
The Brown Pelican is a large coastal bird that weighs eight pounds and has a seven-foot wingspan. During the breeding season, this waterfowl is characterized by a large gray bill, featherless black throat patch, white head, gray-brown body, and cinnamon-brown hind-neck and nape. A colony nester, this bird often lays three eggs in a nest of dead vegetation or directly on the ground. When feeding, the young pelican practically crawls into its parent's beak to eat the partially digested food its parent produces. With its large beak, short tail and waddling walk, the Brown Pelican appears awkward and clumsy on land. When airborne, however, this bird is a graceful flier. The pelican launches into flight with several rapid wingbeats. Once aloft, it glides occasionally, flapping its wings to maintain altitude. Brown Pelicans often fly quite close to the water's surface while hunting for fish, but even 20 to 50 feet above the water a pelican can easily spot its prey. Although graceful in the air, the Brown Pelican appears to make a crash landing as it swoops down to catch a fish. This impressive bird will emerge from the water with a fish held crosswise in its beak, then effortlessly flip the prey into its pouch. Over the past few decades Brown Pelican populations have drastically declined. This is due to pesticide use that has contaminated rivers and coastal waters. The Brown Pelican absorbs the chemical through food that causes thinning of its egg shells, decreasing successful reproduction rates.
Please note the "Fine Art America" watermark will not appear on the painting or any print reproduction.
Artwork Copyright © 1996 Wind River Studios Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the Copyright. WRSH Stock Number XB15509
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April 12th, 2022
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