A pelican is a bird that belongs to the order Pelecaniformes
and the family Pelecanidae. The eight species of living pelicans are found over
most of the worlds but more frequently and diversely in warm climates. Pelicans
are inland birds preferring coastal regions or inland waterways for their
nesting and breeding grounds.
The pelican wingspan depends on the variety of species but
ranges from approximately 49 inches to, in some cases, 10 feet. They have long
beaks or bills with distinctive pouches underneath. These pouches are used for
catching fish and other foods. The water is removed from the pouch before the
pelican eats the food. The feathers or plumage of the pelican comes in whites
and browns.
Some pelicans make
their nests on the ground, others in the trees. They live in large groups or
colonies and exhibit complex mating and reproduction rituals. Pelicans can
travel 100 miles to new feeding or breeding grounds.