The Pelican are a very distinctive Genus water bird, containing eight extant species and a number of extinct and prehistoric ones. He is characterised by his bill, which is long and hooked, equipped with ahuge gular pouch. The bill is used to scoop fish out of the water, and is then held aloof while the water drains out. This can take up to a minute. Gulls have been observed perching on a Pelican's head and pecking at it, to distract it, before seizing food from the open bill. However, Pelicans have been known to capture and consume smaller birds - although this is rare. Small fish are swallowed directly, larger ones are caught between the tips of the bill, flipped in the air and swallowed head-first.
This is an Australian Pelican.
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