
Pelican on a Pole

by Larry Marshall
Title
Pelican on a Pole
Artist
Larry Marshall
Medium
Photograph - Original Photographs
Description
An Eastern Brown Pelican taking a break after a big meal. Brown pelicans are the only species to dive into the water from 9 m (30 ft) above to capture prey. After catching the prey and a lot of water, they tip their bill downward to drain the water before swallowing the fish.
While brown pelicans are known for diving, they will never be deep divers due to the extensive system of subcutaneous air-sacs that give them their buoyancy in the water.
The pelican's pouch (gular pouch) is used as a dip net to catch fish, which are soon swallowed into the stomach (the center of gravity) so that they can maintain their balance while flying.
They have an extendable sac of skin at the base of their throat, which is capable of holding up to 11 liters (3 gallons) of water, several times more than their belly.
Uploaded
April 2nd, 2023
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