the.com/pelican
a flying bucket that catches fish in a face built like a fishing net
means A large water bird with a long bill and an expandable throat pouch it uses to scoop up fish.
from From Greek 'pelekan,' which may be linked to 'pelekys,' an axe — possibly a nod to the bird's broad, chopping-shaped bill. The Greek word passed into Latin as 'pelicanus' and traveled through Old English and Old French before settling into its modern form. A persistent medieval legend held that the pelican pierced its own breast to feed its young with its blood, making it a Christian symbol of sacrifice — a charming story, but pure myth, likely born from the reddish tinge some pelicans get on their chests during breeding season.
- throat pouch
- Holds up to three gallons of water
- plunge dive
- Hits water hard enough to stun fish below
- air sacs
- Cushion the body from bone-rattling dives
- wingspan
- Stretches up to ten feet across
- ancient lineage
- Fossils date back over thirty million years
brown pelican — state bird of louisiana, nearly extinct in 1970s, recovered through ddt ban
peruvian pelican — largest pelican species, inhabits western coast of south america
australian pelican — longest bill of any bird species, up to 50 cm, found in australia