Quck answer
A Pelican’s bill can hold up to three times more than its belly can. This is because the bill is able to expand, allowing the bird to catch and hold a large amount of fish or other prey. The bill also serves as a way to drain water from the bird’s mouth after it dives into the water. While it may seem like the bird’s belly would be stretched to its limit, the expandable bill allows the Pelican to consume a substantial amount of food in one meal.
Wild Animals
Pelican Features: The Bill and Pouch
A brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) catches a fish at the Bolsa Chica Wetland, California. Hal Beral/Getty Images
Pelicans belong to the Pelecaniformes order, which comprises approximately 50 species of waterbirds. Unlike other orders, they have four webbed toes, breathe through their mouths, and feed primarily on marine animals. Additionally, they share the gular skin that was discussed earlier. However, what sets them apart is the loose, stretchy pouch that only pelicans possess, which they can expand and contract to catch meals. The great frigate bird puffs up its gular pouch with air during courtship displays, but only pelicans use their pouches to catch food. The lower mandible of a pelican’s bill is merely a frame around the pouch.
Another unique feature of the pelican’s bill is the hook at the top of the upper mandible, which helps them grab slippery or wiggly fish. After scooping up their prey, pelicans open their bill and slowly contract their pouch to empty out the water and keep the fish inside. If the fish is too big, they may tilt it headfirst to prevent it from getting stuck. Since pelicans can’t eat or fly with a full pouch, draining it is crucial. They can even turn their pouch inside out by bending their neck. The Australian pelican has the largest bill, measuring up to 1.5 feet (about half a meter) in length.
In 1910, humorist Dixon Lanier Merritt wrote a famous limerick about pelicans:
“Oh, a wondrous bird is the pelican! His bill holds more than his belican. He can take in his beak Enough food for a week. But I’m darned if I know how the helican.”
While a pelican’s bill can hold more food than its stomach, it doesn’t store food there. Pelicans’ pouches can hold up to 3 gallons (11.36 liters) compared to their stomach’s 1-gallon (3.79-liter) capacity, which means they could carry up to 24 pounds (10.89 kilograms) of fish in their pouches but only 8 pounds (3.63 kilograms) in their stomachs. If they catch more fish than they can eat at once, the excess goes into their esophagus.
FAQ
1. What is a pelican’s bill?
A pelican’s bill is a long, flat, and wide structure that is used for catching and holding fish. It is made of a lightweight bone structure covered by a thin layer of skin that is full of blood vessels.
2. How big is a pelican’s bill?
A pelican’s bill can be up to 18 inches long and can hold up to 3 gallons of water. It is one of the largest bills of any bird in the world, and it is capable of holding fish that are larger than the bird itself.
3. How does a pelican use its bill to catch fish?
A pelican uses its bill to scoop up fish from the water. It then drains the water out of its bill and swallows the fish whole. The bill also has a small hook on the end of it that helps the pelican hold onto slippery fish.
4. Can a pelican’s bill hold more than its belly can?
Yes, a pelican’s bill can hold much more than its belly can. This is because the bill is capable of expanding to hold larger fish, while the bird’s belly can only stretch so much.
5. How does a pelican digest its food?
A pelican’s stomach has a special lining that can handle the sharp bones and tough skin of the fish it eats. The stomach also has powerful muscles that help it break down the food. The undigested bones, scales, and other parts of the fish are then regurgitated as pellets.
6. Do all pelicans have the same size bill?
No, not all pelicans have the same size bill. The size of a pelican’s bill depends on the species of the bird and where it lives. Some species have shorter bills than others, and some have bills that are more curved or pointed.
7. What other animals have bills like a pelican?
Other animals that have bills like a pelican include spoonbills, storks, and flamingos. These birds also use their bills to catch fish and other prey.
8. How long can a pelican live?
A pelican can live up to 25 years in the wild. However, many pelicans do not live this long due to habitat destruction, pollution, and hunting.
9. Where do pelicans live?
Pelicans can be found in many parts of the world, including North and South America, Africa, Europe, and Asia. They typically live near bodies of water, such as rivers, lakes, and oceans.
10. Are pelicans endangered?
Some species of pelicans are listed as endangered or vulnerable due to habitat loss, pollution, and hunting. However, other species are not currently considered at risk.
11. What are some interesting facts about pelicans?
Pelicans have been around for over 30 million years, making them one of the oldest bird species in the world. They are also known for their unique ability to store fish in their bills, which they use to feed their young.
Leave a Reply