ML431346891

Age and sex

Adult Female - 1; Adult Male - 1

Media notes

AWPE adult pair in breeding plumage (female in front and male in back) - good comparison of size of body, bills, and keratinous knobs by sex Stewart Fletcher, Photographer

Observation details

We revisit a pair of AWPE visual 2 (1 female in front and 1 male in back, both in spectacular breeding plumage) early this morning that we originally saw last evening from dusk to nearly sunset on April 1, 2022. They are still present this morning! I personally have never seen AWPE in breeding plumage so this was a special sighting to see, particularly the colors and engorged skin pouch below the eye and extending to the base of the upper mandible. AGING using 'Pyle ID Guide to NA Birds, Part II' - the other question I have is ?Allula A2? is black in both adults - does A2 eventually become white with age? Iris color of both adults ranges between a pale baby blue and pale cream color using my spotting scope, both have orange-yellow gulars, do see breast feathers yellow with oil, bill and facial skin bright yellow, and both have crest feathers. Male has black areas in bill - both adults have 1 or 2 outer pp coverts with some brown centers, keratinous bill appendages are large in both adults, and bright red legs and feet. AGE the two adults as at least ATY until better information comes in. Sadly, a dog walker (female) tells her golden retriever to "Go get them!" Golden retriever runs toward the pelicans, and they take flight. Stewart Fletcher, Photographer

Technical information

Dimensions

1080 pixels x 696 pixels

Original file size

755.42 KB