Title: Why do pelicans fly so low? -
Headings: Why do pelicans fly so low?
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Why do pelicans fly so low?
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Content: They fly against the wind to gain altitude (rising into the gust), then zigzag down (falling into the lee) to gain speed. The external nostrils, called nares, found in this group of seabirds (including petrels and shearwaters) are suspected to aid in detecting airspeed in the same way that airplanes use a device called a pitot tube (the little L-shaped thing that sticks out the side of a plane). So next time you’re watching pelicans or, if you’re lucky, albatrosses flying low or soaring overhead, tip your hat to two champions of energy conservation. Send your questions to atn@baynature.org. About the Author
Michael Ellis
Send your questions to atn@baynature.org. Santa Rosa-based naturalist Michael Ellis leads nature trips throughout the world with Footloose Forays (footlooseforays.com). Every story from Bay Nature magazine is the product of a team of people dedicated to connecting our readers to the world around them and increasing environmental literacy. Please help us keep this unique regional magazine thriving, and support the ecosystem we’ve built around it, by subscribing today. Subscribe
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