Pelecanus is a genus of large water birds, the pelicans, comprising eight living species with a patchy, seasonally dependent but near-global distribution ranging latitudinally from the tropics to the temperate zone, though absent from interior Amazonian South America, the polar regions and the open ocean. Pelicans are distinguished by a long beak and a large throat pouch used to catch prey and drain water before swallowing, and by pale plumage except in the brown and Peruvian pelicans. Species range in size from the brown pelican at about 2.75 kilograms to the Dalmatian pelican at up to 15 kilograms.
Facts
Taxonomic Rank Scientific Name Member Species/Taxa Count Geographic DistributionAll continents except Antarctica 1 Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceVery large birds with very long bills, a downcurved hook at the end of the upper mandible, and a huge gular pouch attached to the lower 1 Sources
1. Pelican - Wikipedia
Lead, first sentence
are a genus of large water birds that make up the family Pelecanidae.
Lead, first sentence, genus name in parentheses
Pelicans (genus Pelecanus) are a genus of large water birds that make up the family Pelecanidae.
Extant species and phylogeny
There are eight extant species of pelicans, which were historically divided into two groups based on plumage colouration and nesting behavior.
Distribution and habitat
Modern pelicans are found on all continents except Antarctica.
Description
Pelicans are very large birds with very long bills characterised by a downcurved hook at the end of the upper mandible, and the attachment of a huge gular pouch to the lower.
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