Coastal Spectacle: Brown Pelicans Flocking to Playa Flamingo
It's sunset on Costa Rica's Pacific coast, and the sky is dotted with V formations of birds gliding synchronously, their beaks pointing the way to the evening's roosting spot. These are brown pelicans, which are found in great numbers along Costa Rica's Pacific coast. This large diving bird eats different kinds of fish, and currently, a school of sardines has kept them fully fed in Playa Flamingo, a ten-minute drive from Las Catalinas. Fishermen and boat operators at the small beach port anticipate that the unusual activity in the bay will persist for another week to two weeks until the school of sardines migrates elsewhere. They note that while sightings of Brown Pelicans are common, the current influx far exceeds the typical numbers seen in the area.
Large and graceful in flight, the Brown Pelican, or Pelecanus occidentalis, is an unmistakable favorite on both coasts of Costa Rica. With long wings and necks, a large straight bill, and an enormous gular pouch for swallowing fish, the pelican has a distinct profile, that matches its distinct behavior. It is common to find them in habitats along coastal waters where you will see the Brown Pelican elegantly soaring and abruptly plunge-diving for fish from up to ten meters or thirty-two feet in the air. The Brown Pelican has air sacs in the chest to absorb the impact of the water and uses its gular pouch to scoop fish that are near the surface. This bird may also take scraps from fishing areas and follow fishing boats for waste. To minimize energy expenditure during flight, these birds skillfully use thermals generated by air currents and ocean waves.
As the largest water bird in Costa Rica, with a lifespan of up to thirty-one years, the Brown Pelican offers a captivating spectacle along the coastline. To catch them gracefully soaring in formations along the shore or executing dramatic plunge-dives for fish, we recommend taking a short excursion over to Playa Flamingo while they are still abundant in the area.