See Also: Pelican(medicine)
pelican(dictionary)
pelican(encyclopedia)
pelican(dictionary)
Pelican Air(tourism)
pelican crossing(dictionary)
Pelican Air code(tourism)
Pelican Air flights(tourism)
Pelican Point Beach(tourism)
Pelican State Beach(tourism)

pelican (sh)




Any of about eight species constituting the genus Pelecanus (family Pelecanidae), white or brown birds distinguished by a large, elastic throat pouch.

Some species are 70 in. (180 cm) long, have a wingspan of 10 ft (3 m), and weigh up to 30 lbs (13 kg). Most species drive fish into shallow water and, using the pouch as a dip net, scoop them up and immediately swallow them. Pelicans inhabit freshwaters and seacoasts in many parts of the world; they breed in colonies on islands, laying one to four eggs in a stick nest. Chicks thrust their bills down the parent's gullet to obtain regurgitated food.


Brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis).

Norman Tomalin
Bruce Coleman Inc.