The pouch under the beak of pelicans allows them to store large quantities of fish when they fish. This allows them to transport more food for their offspring or to share their loot with other members of their group.
The pelican's pouch is a remarkably effective adaptation for catching fish. It functions like a true integrated fishing net, capable of trapping a large amount of water (and fish!) due to its elasticity when the bird dives in with its beak open. Then, it lifts its head, expels the water through the sides of its bill, and voilà, the fish is trapped. The pelicans' beak is very sensitive: very handy for quickly spotting catches and preventing them from escaping. In short, this natural tool is a formidable weapon for catching large prey without too much effort.
The pelican's pouch acts as a fishing net, but be careful, it’s not its stomach! In reality, it simply serves to catch prey and temporarily store it. Once it has caught its meal, the pelican empties the water from its pouch by tilting its head, then swallows its catch directly. It’s a bit like a basket: you do your shopping in it, but you don’t eat from it. And there's no question of saving your snack either: the pouch remains a temporary solution, so the pelican can sort its meal or safely settle down before enjoying it all.
For pelicans, the pouch under the beak is not only used to catch fish: it also plays a role in their social rituals. During breeding seasons, males display their pouch by inflating and shaking it to attract females, as an original way to stand out. This colorful display allows each individual to showcase its physical condition and overall health. Moreover, during territorial disputes or confrontations to assert their dominance, pelicans visibly inflate their pouch to impress rivals and clearly show their status. Thus, it is a true tool of visual communication that is very useful in their daily social life.
The large expandable pouch of pelicans, located under their beak, also serves as an integrated air conditioner. In hot weather, the very thin skin of this pouch is irrigated by numerous small blood vessels, allowing for efficient heat dissipation from the body. By stretching this area, the pelican increases the exchange surface with the surrounding air, thus facilitating cooling. A bit like you when you sweat, but less glamorous.
The pouch under the beak of pelicans is the result of a long evolution adapted to their aquatic lifestyle and diet. The first ancestors of pelicans are believed to have appeared around 30 million years ago, already possessing characteristics similar to those observed today. However, the size and exact appearance of this pouch vary between current species. For example, the Brown Pelican has a darker and sturdier pouch, ideal for spectacular dives, while the White Pelican has a softer, clearer, and larger pouch, suited for effective collective fishing. These small differences perfectly reflect how each species has specialized over time according to its environment and habits.
Some fossils show that the ancestors of pelicans already had a pouch under their beak about 30 million years ago: evidence that this morphological trait provided a significant evolutionary advantage early in the history of these birds.
Some species of pelicans, such as the white pelican, use their large pouch to emit visual signals during courtship displays to attract their mates or intimidate potential rivals.
Although large, the gular pouch of pelicans is extremely fragile and sensitive. It can tear or be damaged in the event of aggressive or clumsy interaction with other birds or sharp objects.
Contrary to popular belief, pelicans do not use their pouch to transport food over long distances. Generally, they empty the water from their pouch immediately after catching their prey in order to swallow it directly.
No, even though other birds may have a similar appearance, the pelican's expandable pouch is unique due to its elasticity and its ability to stretch significantly to capture prey.
Sure! Here’s the translation: "Yes, the skin of the pouch under the beak is thin and particularly sensitive. Pelicans can easily injure themselves with sharp objects, such as hooks or plastic waste."
Pelicans use their pouch during courtship displays or when the young ones are seeking food. Inflating or displaying the pouch serves as a visual signal for social interaction with other pelicans.
Yes, when it is very hot, pelicans can slightly open their beak so that the vascularization in their pouch helps disperse excess body heat, thereby assisting in regulating their internal temperature.
No, the pelican's pouch is only used to temporarily catch fish and filter water. After that, they quickly swallow their prey after expelling the excess water.
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