Ologies with Alie Ward Pelicanology (PELICANS) with Juita Martinez
Jun 4, 2020
Pelicanologist Juita Martinez shares fieldwork stories, discusses birding, Black Birders Week, pelican behavior & conservation, river rescue mishaps, advocating for inclusivity in outdoor spaces, educational projects for kids, and the fascinating world of pelicans.
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Episode notes
Fluffy Chicks And High Vulnerability
- Pelican chicks hatch naked and blind, then develop insulating down that makes them appear very fluffy.
- Their early vulnerability explains high juvenile mortality and heavy parental provisioning.
Pelicans Rely On Menhaden
- Brown pelicans depend heavily on menhaden, which comprises about 98% of their diet.
- Protecting menhaden fisheries benefits pelicans and many other marine predators.
Boat Mishaps Teach Hard Lessons
- Fieldwork includes long boat trips, getting stuck in mudflats, and sometimes needing a tugboat rescue at night.
- Those experiences made Martinez insist on better boats and change how she outfits herself for field days.