Gular Pouch
A stretchy pouch of skin under the beak of some birds, used to catch and hold food.
What is it?
A gular pouch is a flexible bag of skin that hangs from the lower jaw of some birds, like pelicans. Pelicans use their pouch to scoop up fish and water, then tilt their head to drain the water and swallow the fish. The pouch can stretch to hold several liters of water and fish.
Why it matters
The gular pouch is a special adaptation that helps pelicans catch food efficiently. It is a unique feature that makes pelicans different from other water birds.
Where you've seen it
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