Edmund and I took this photo of American White Pelicans several years ago, and it is the only time before or since that we have seen these birds on Avery Island. American White Pelicans eat fish, of course, and are known to cooperate while feeding by chasing fish to each other. We didn't enlarge the photo or really pay that much attention to it at the time, but when we saw it full screen on our computer, we noticed that the black Cormorants mingled quite happily with the visiting pelicans.

The American White Pelicans took off while we were watching, leaving several Cormorants swimming in their usual style--with only their heads and necks above the water.

The Brown Pelican is the state bird of Louisiana. These birds eat mainly fish, requiring up to 4 pounds a day. Their exceptional eyesight allows them to spot fish while flying 60 or 70 feet overhead. After diving into the water, they scoop up the fish in their large pouch and then swallow them after sifting all the water out. They are very strong swimmers, and even young birds have been clocked swimming 3 miles per hour. Brown Pelicans can live long lives exceeding 30 years. Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service