River Visitor the pelican
This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share a commission.We have a visitor! Yesterday my brother noticed this young White Pelican by our mailboxes and let me know so I could take a picture. You seldom see them on land. My brother thought he had seen this bird a couple of days ago and it must have gotten lost in the storms we had as the closest rookery is above Clinton, Ia. We shouldn’t see any young ones here.
The poor thing was weak and we aren’t sure if one of the wings is injured, he wasn’t afraid of us.
I happened to have a pound of ground Asian Carp in the freezer that we had never eaten so I thawed it out and we fed the pelican. Obviously, it was starving as it was gobbling up the food. My brother took a video of me feeding the pelican and it is pretty darn funny as I’m running from it…..I think it decided I was its mom.
Pelly (I had to name him/her) followed me home and seemed to like our sand pile.
You can see that the water isn’t too deep.
I got online to find out about White Pelicans. They fly at 9 to 10 weeks and I’m not sure if this one is about that age, it still has down and just a few feathers. They eat between 3 and 4 pounds of fish a day so my brother started fishing.
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He caught a catfish right before we were getting ready to go to a 4th of July party so Builder Bob cleaned it and I fed Pelly. Notice that my mouth is open…….just like when I fed a baby! I wore a plastic glove so my hand didn’t smell like fish before the party. I put one on this morning and about the first time Pelly grabbed a piece of fish my glove ripped so I took it off as I didn’t want him to get any of it.
Someone is being told to go find “Mama”.
Last night the pelican was sleeping on top of the sand pile when we went to bed but when we woke up this morning he was gone. I was afraid something had gotten him but…he must have been lonely.
He was sleeping next to these decoys that we found floating down the river.
I have learned that the fish must be cut into small pieces so the pelican doesn’t choke. Monday I will call around to see what we should do about him. Obviously, I haven’t done much quilting but I’m sure having fun!!
How sweet of you to be so kind to him. I love the picture with the decoys! You have such a good heart. 🙂
It was great that your brother caught a fish right away for your new visitor. Loved seeing Pelly being told to go find "Mama". It was really lucky that you had found those decoys floating down the river so Pelly could have some friends! I got all teary when I saw that picture.
connie, i am a devoted lurker, i just love your blog. i am dropping a note to let you know just how much i enjoyed this post! good luck with your pelican adventure!
Oh the poor thing! But good that he found you to take care of him. And call me silly but I got a little choked up that he went to sleep near the decoys. He must be so lonely! Please keep us posted on what you find out after you make your calls.
Oh, poor baby, hope she will find her way home! That's just too funny how she went to find company :)))))
Oh the adventures of living on the river!!! Such fun to be able to help your new baby! I'll be looking forward to the next installment of the Pelican Saga.
What an awesome experience to have. Hopefully there is a wildlife group nearby that can come get the pelican and provided any needed rehab so it can return to its pelican life.
What an adventure! Too funny about him settling in with the decoys. He's just trying to make the best of things. Let us know what you decide to do with him.
glad to see the water is down, Connie! That pelican doesn't look old enough to be on his own — interesting that you were able to feed it so easily — a memorable experience for you!
Life along the river looks like it has its share of excitement. You never know who will stop by for a visit. The picture of Pelly with the decoys is priceless.
Poor Pelly looking for his mother.He might think it is you Connie, Someone might transport him to be with other Pelicans, Glad for you the water receded.
Bless your hearts for trying to help him. I sure hope you find a rescue to take him. Poor guy must have been looking for his momma when he cuddled up next to the decoys. 🙁 Ok…I'm a sap. lol I'll be looking for updates on Pelly. 🙂
How funny how that little thing cuddled near the decoys that way.
Hopefully someone will come rescue the poor baby or at least come check it out to be sure it's not injured. You'll have to tell us what happens with the little guy.
The camper in that one picture looks like it's on a mud bog and about ready to sink into the mud there with all the water seen around it.
Poor Pelly…..but lucky that he found you. I sure hope this has a happy ending. I got teary too, seeing him cuddled up to the decoys. It's a scary world out there, but you are helping him cope. Bless you!
Great job you're doing with the little guy. I was doing fine reading about your adventure but got all teary when I saw the picture of him and the decoys.
So glad he found you to feed him at least. I think the most touch photo is him by the decoys…..he needs a mama for sure. Let us know how the saga ends.
Great story, Connie. What a sweet little turn of events to see Pelly sleeping with the decoys! Clever bird. Can't wait to see how the story ends!
wow love your pet! wildlife service might need to come get him especially if he is injured so they can care for him. glad y'all are surviving the flood.
I hope your new baby does OK! We don't have white pelicans down here, but the brown pelican is our state bird. They have fascinated me since childhood!
Oh, I hope you can find some help for Pelly. Poor little thing. At least he isn't going hungry with you around.
What a lovely story! I hope it will end well.
What a touching story! I do hope you have a bird rescue nearby.
Looks like Pelly has learned one of the most important rules of travel…When in Rome do as the Romans do.
Poor baby! You and Bob are so wonderful to help this bird. Hopefully there is a wildlife rescue in your area who will be able to help. What a blessing to see and interact with such a awesome bird!
I bet you will find out what to do with him. He sure is beautiful and so tame. You are doing such a great deed.
Thats the most interesting blog i have seen in a long time! Congratulations for helping the poor wee (?) thing. hopefully it can be reunited with some of its clan.
Oh, that is just so sweet, hope he does well. Keep us updated!!
What an exciting child you have, Connie. I wonder if they have a bird rescue near you. Poor little thing needs a mommy. It's a good thing he didn't crawl in bed with you and Bob.