Pelicans lay their eggs in a nest made from sticks, grass, and other vegetation. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs, keeping them warm and protected until they hatch.
Feeding the Chicks:
Once the eggs hatch, the chicks are covered in down feathers and are cared for by both parents. The parents regurgitate partially digested food, such as fish, into their chicks' mouths. As the chicks grow, they learn to catch and eat fish on their own.
Protecting the Chicks:
Pelicans are fiercely protective of their chicks. If a threat approaches the nest, the parents will use their long beaks and sharp talons to defend the young. They may also try to scare off the threat by making loud noises and flapping their wings.
Teaching the Chicks to Fly:
As the pelican chicks grow older, they develop their flight feathers and begin to learn how to fly. The parents will encourage them by flying short distances and then gliding back to the nest. Eventually, the chicks will take their first flight and begin to join their parents in hunting expeditions.
Communal Care:
Some species of pelicans, like the Great White Pelican, live in colonies and practice communal care. In these colonies, multiple pairs of parents may take care of a group of chicks, with all the adults contributing to their protection and feeding. This social behavior enhances the survival chances of the young and strengthens the bonds within the colony.