Audio Excerpt

It’s a bird! No, it’s a plane! No, wait… it’s Sup…. oh.. yeah no that’s definitely just a bird. If you look to the North you’ll see a lake, Pelican Lake, home to the American White Pelican!  Now you may be asking, “what’s an American bird doing in Canada?”. Maple Syrup of course, Pelicans looooove maple syrup.. Although my Maple Syrup theory has never been proven, Pelicans are one of the largest birds in North America, with a wingspan of up to 10 feet! The majestic bird does have bit of a troubled past though as in 1978, they were listed as a threatened species in Canada. Thankfully, our feathered friends eventually found their way off the threatened species list in the year 7834! .. wait.. No that can’t be right.. Oh right 8459 .. no .. hmm.. Well I’m kind of bad at numbers, think you can help? 

 

So what year did the American White Pelican come off the endangered species list?

 

 Was it, A)1987, B)1869 or C)1998?

 

The answer is A, 1987! Just nine years after being listed as a threatened species those big guys made their way back to a healthy population.  Interestingly enough, the Pelicans hunt for fish both individually and in semi-cooperative groups. A few birds will form a semicircle and slowly swim towards shore while beating their wings, herding their prey towards shallower water; in unison they dip their bills and catch any fish that swim into them.  That’s all fine and well but… how do they know where to deliver those babies? And how do they wrap them up so well? And how do they tie the knot? And well… well where do babies even come from?