Have you ever seen a pelican V formation?
Pelican flocks are a common scene in Guiones, but why do pelicans form a V while they travel? Pelicans usually move parallel to the shore line, where ascendent ocean breeze helps them keep high and flapping the less as possible. They tend to form a V, always having a leader at the front line, who is in charge of flapping first, and immediate the next line (2 pelicans) with follow the flapping, and so on the next lines will follow until the back line finishes. This will decrease the air ressistance they (as a flock) have to confront, and will save energy as a group. The front line leader will take the worst part, beacuse it has to make a bigger effort to break the ressitance... but the good news for it is that the flock alternate's all positions, so every single individual has to go to the front at one point (or more).
Brown pelicans (Pelicanus occidentalis), are very impressive, specially if you have ever watch them diving for fish in the ocean. If you have ever surfed here in Nosara, you probably have. I mean, whenever the fishing is good, you can really get an live upclose when they go by next to you, scoping for some food over the surface on the line-up. And besides pelicans, you can also watch frigate birds, royal terns and other sea birds fishing around, likeit's like being on a BBC documentary live!
