Pelican
Pelican
Pelican (/ˈpɛlɪkən/; from the Greek word πελεκάνος, pelekán) is a genus of large water birds that makes up the family Pelecanidae. They are characterized by a long beak and a large throat pouch used for catching prey and draining water from the scooped-up contents before swallowing.
Etymology
The word "pelican" is derived from the ancient Greek word πελεκάνος (pelekán), which is itself derived from the word πέλεκυς (pélekys) meaning "axe". In classical times, the word was applied to both the pelican and the woodpecker.
Anatomy
Pelicans are large birds with large pouches on their bills which they use to scoop up fish. They have a long neck and short stout legs with webbed feet. The tail is short and square, with 20 to 24 feathers. The wings are long and broad, suitably shaped for soaring and gliding flight, and have the unusually large number of 30 to 35 secondary flight feathers.
Behavior
Pelicans are gregarious and breed colonially, the colonies being situated on islands or along coasts. They are also highly sociable and frequently seen in large flocks. They use their elastic pouches to catch fish, though different species use it in slightly different ways.
Related Terms
- Beak: The elongated, pointed mouthpart of birds, including pelicans.
- Pouch: A bag-like structure in an animal, the pelican uses its pouch to catch fish.
- Pelecanidae: The family that pelicans belong to.
- Webbed Feet: A type of foot found in aquatic or semi-aquatic birds like pelicans.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Pelican
- Wikipedia's article - Pelican
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