An American White Pelican displays its fishing technique. These large birds dips their bills, scooping up water in the pouch. They then strain the water with the hopes that there will have caught a fish unaware. This particular pelican was fishing alone on this day but oftentimes they will do so in groups, lining themselves up and driving fish in front of them.

An interesting thing about those pouches is that they also help to cool these massive birds. Pelicans can overheat in the sun and will flutter the pouches in the air. All of those blood vessels help to allow heat to escape. Taken in Thornton, Colorado. ?

An American White Pelican strains the water out of its bill pouch.  (© Tony’s Takes)
An American White Pelican strains the water out of its bill pouch. (© Tony’s Takes)

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