ETYM French pélican, Latin pelicanus, pelecanus.
Large long-winged warm-water seabird having a large bill with a distensible pouch for fish.
Any of a family (Pelecanidae) of large, heavy water birds remarkable for the pouch beneath the bill which is used as a fishing net and temporary store for catches of fish. Some species grow up to 1.8 m/6 ft and have wingspans of 3 m/10 ft.
They include the American brown pelican Pelicanus occidentalis, which is marine, and dives for its food; the pinkish common pelican P. onocrotalus of Europe, Asia, and Africa; and the Australian black-backed pelican P. conspicillatus. The last two do not dive for food but dip their bills into the water while swimming. + prikaži više