Category: Birds
Pelicans are large water birds, instantly recognizable by their large beaks and throat pouches that they use to scoop up prey (mostly fish). Most species of pelican are pale in plumage, except for their bills, pouches, and facial skin, which becomes brightly colored during breeding season. They are highly social birds, who travel and hunt in groups and breed colonially.
“Bird Brain” should be taken as a compliment.
Calling someone a “bird brain” is an insult, but perhaps it should be reconsidered given how many birds display high intelligence and adaptability. For just a few examples, the kea from New Zealand can solve logical puzzles and work with other birds in order to acquire food, observations of Cormorants used by Chinese fishermen indicate that the birds can count up to seven, and many species of birds use simple tools such as sticks to help them acquire food or other items that catch their fancy! There is also a cockatoo named Snowball who can dance to the beat of Billy Idol’s “Dancing With Myself,” though whether this indicates intelligence or not may be a matter of debate or personal taste.
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Discover Animals is a web-based educational resource offered by the NAIA
