Pelicans Resting in the Shade
Pelicans are large water birds with a long beak and a stretchy pouch used to catch fish. They live in groups and work together to hunt.
Where is it from?
Pelicans are found all over the world in warm and temperate regions. They live near lakes, rivers, and wetlands. Different species live in different places. For example, the white pelican lives in North America and Europe, while the brown pelican lives along the coasts of the Americas.
What is it for?
Pelicans use their long beak and throat pouch to catch fish. They scoop up water and fish, then drain the water and swallow the fish. The pouch can hold up to 3 gallons of water! Pelicans also use their pouch to cool down on hot days.
Who uses it?
Pelicans are social birds. They live in colonies and work together to hunt. They often hunt in groups, driving fish into shallow water where they are easier to catch. This is called cooperative hunting. Pelicans also communicate with each other using sounds and body movements.
Tradition
Pelicans have been important in many cultures. In medieval Europe, the pelican was a symbol of sacrifice because people thought it fed its young with its own blood. Today, pelicans are a symbol of the Louisiana coast and are protected by laws.
Other cultures with similar things
Many other birds have throat pouches, like cormorants and frigatebirds. But pelicans are the only birds with a pouch that is used for fishing. Other animals that hunt cooperatively include wolves, lions, and dolphins.
Connections
Next to find
- Find a picture of a pelican with its pouch full of fish.
- Look for another animal that hunts in a group.
- Find out where pelicans live near you.
在树荫下休息的鹈鹕
鹈鹕是大型水鸟，有长喙和可伸缩的喉囊用来捕鱼。它们成群生活，合作捕猎。
它来自哪里？
鹈鹕遍布全球温带和热带地区。它们生活在湖泊、河流和湿地附近。不同种类的鹈鹕生活在不同的地方。例如，白鹈鹕生活在北美和欧洲，而棕色鹈鹕生活在美洲海岸。
它用来做什么？
鹈鹕用它们的长喙和喉囊捕鱼。它们舀起水和鱼，然后排水并吞下鱼。喉囊可以容纳多达3加仑的水！鹈鹕也用喉囊在炎热天气降温。
谁使用它？
鹈鹕是群居鸟类。它们生活在群体中，合作捕猎。它们经常成群捕猎，把鱼赶到浅水区，更容易捕捉。这被称为合作捕猎。鹈鹕还通过声音和身体动作相互交流。
传统
鹈鹕在许多文化中都很重要。在中世纪欧洲，鹈鹕是牺牲的象征，因为人们认为它用自己的血喂养幼鸟。今天，鹈鹕是路易斯安那海岸的象征，并受到法律保护。
其他文化中的类似事物
许多其他鸟类有喉囊，比如鸬鹚和军舰鸟。但鹈鹕是唯一用喉囊捕鱼的鸟类。其他合作捕猎的动物包括狼、狮子和海豚。
联系
下一步寻找
- 找一张鹈鹕喉囊装满鱼的图片。
- 寻找另一种成群捕猎的动物。
- 找出你附近鹈鹕生活的地方。