Pelican, long beak with bag

2005/06/20 Galarraga Aiestaran, Ana - Elhuyar Zientzia

• Zoologia

Many believe that the pelican keeps fish inside its beak bag. But it is not so. The bag consists of a flexible membrane that has at the bottom of the long beak and in which it does not store fish or water. In fact, use the bag as a fishing net. The nets, however, have holes and the bag does not, so once caught the fish is poured all the water and the fish swallows.

The bag also helps to be on water and retain air when diving. In addition, when colliding with water, the bag also helps to alleviate the shock.