The Pelican Feeding at Kangaroo Island

Whatever we did on our second day on Pelican Island, it all needed to result in our arriving at Kingscote Wharf before 5. The reason for this is that the pelicans are fed precisely at that time, and you want to get there a bit in advance so you can get good seats.

My mention of seats should not imply bleachers. There are rocks that you can sit on, and the birds make free use of these rocks as well. You will notice some white splatters. You can sit on the rocks or stand in the area right behind them, but if you are not squeamish, go for the rocks. I actually got brushed with wings.

I am sure there are people who will be against the practice, but the pelican man, John, takes a cooler full of fish and tosses it to the birds at 5 every day, rain or shine, tourist season or no. This means that the birds are there every day at five. So, yes, he is feeding wildlife, but the amount that they get is not large enough that they are losing the ability to hunt and fish on their own. I found the experience amazing, and I think the pelicans are coming out okay. If you go to Kangaroo Island, I definitely recommend attending a feeding.

I know we have pelicans in the U.S., including in Texas, but I have only ever seen them wild when out of the country: brown pelicans in Mexico, then Australian pelicans here. Notice the yellow patches around the eye.

John was a wonderful showman. He taught us lots about pelicans with a very droll delivery style, as well as demonstrating different behaviors based on where he threw the fish. So, we got to see a landing disrupted, and sea gulls being chased by pelicans, as well as random squabbling.

Check out the throat in the bottom picture. This bird got a large clump of fish headed down the wrong way, and couldn't swallow. He kept sending it back up to his pouch and trying again. What he really needed to do was actually send it outside and start over, but there was no way he was going to do it there, surrounded by competition. Even opening his bill a little would be an invitation to another bird to try seizing it forcefully. Eventually he had to leave the area. Gross perhaps, but pelicans are not big on table manners.

Obviously, one had to think about Finding Nemo there, only instead of many gulls and one pelican, the gulls were outnumbered and outclassed. Also, no cute little clownfish in the cooler, which was just as well.

I know I haven't conveyed how fun it was, but trust me, it was. The birds are cool, and John really sold the experience. He does ask for a contribution of $3.00 AUD per person, but I think it's well worth it. (It is voluntary, but you'd have to be a bit of a grinch not to do it.)

As always, more pictures at http://harristravel.shutterfly.com/. The Kangaroo Island pictures are in the Southern Australia section.