These amazing birds that soar gracefully over the warm Florida waters look prehistoric. Fact is: they date back 30 million years! And they are still frequenting inland and coastal waters feeding mostly on fish that they catch at or near the water surface. Pelicans are gregarious birds, and often hunt cooperatively. They love to steal live bait from the netters and pilfer the booty from fisherman on the shoreline.Though they can sometimes be mischievous, their presence brings beauty and grace. Hopefully, conservation and wildlife enthusiasts will protect them from pollution and oils spills that threaten their continued survival.