Swimmer Needs 20 Stitches After Pelican Crashed Into Her

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Main Category: Veterinary
Also Included In: Public Health;  Dermatology
Article Date: 11 May 2008 - 10:00 PDT

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Debbie Shoemaker, 50, was swimming off the Florida coast in Treasure Island waters, near St. Petersburg, when a pelican which was apparently diving for fish crashed into her by mistake and tore a gash into Shoemaker's cheek with its long beak. The bird did not survive the collision.

Shoemaker, from Toledo, Ohio, USA, was immediately taken to hospital where she needed 20 stitches. She returned home from hospital last Friday.

St. Petersburg Fire Department chief said he had never heard of a pelican colliding into a swimmer.

About Pelicans

The pelican, which has an enormous pouch under its bill, belongs to the Pelecanidae bird family, of the Pelecaniformes* order. They can be found in every continent, except Antarctica, preferring warmer regions.

Pelicans can vary in size from the Brown Pelican (P. occidentalis) which weighs about 2.75 kg (6 lbs) and can have a wing span of around 6 feet to the Malmatian Pelican (P. crispus) which weighs up to 15 kg (33 lbs) and can have a wing span of up to 3.5 mts (11.5 ft). The Australian Pelican has the longest bill (beak) of any bird.

Pelicans are very good swimmers. They have short, strong legs and webbed feet. Special fibers deep in the breast muscles allow them to hold their wings rigidly horizontal for gliding and soaring. Anybody who lives in an area where many pelicans exist will be aware of their incredible gliding skills.

Feeding

Apart from eating fish, pelicans also eat crustaceans, amphibians, and sometimes even smaller birds. When they catch a fish their throat pouch expands - before swallowing they have to empty the pouch of water. Draining the water can take about one minute, giving other birds and opportunity to try and steal their catch.

The Brown Pelican, which is common in North America (and Florida), will generally dive for its food. From a gliding height of up to 70 feet (20 meters) they will drop and hit the water at very high speed.

According to fossil records, we believe pelicans have been around for about 40 million years.

* darters, cormorants, gannets, boobies, and frigatebirds are also of the Pelecaniformes order.

Written by - Christian Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News Today
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