# What are the most interesting facts about pelicans that everyone should know?

Lily Armstrong · August 4, 2026

> Pelicans have the largest bills of any living bird, with some species' bills measuring over a foot long. Despite their massive bills, pelicans are...

Pelicans have the largest bills of any living bird, with some species' bills measuring over a foot long.

Despite their massive bills, pelicans are quite agile and can perform complex aerial maneuvers, such as plunge diving into the water to catch fish.

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Pelicans have a unique feeding mechanism where they use their expandable throat pouch to scoop up fish and drain out excess water before swallowing their prey.

Pelicans are excellent soaring birds, often riding thermals and updrafts to conserve energy during long migratory flights.

Some pelican species can drink saltwater by having specialized glands that can remove excess salt from their bodies.

Pelicans are highly social birds and often nest in large colonies, with some colonies containing thousands of nesting pairs.

Pelicans have a unique "gular pouch" that they can use to regulate their body temperature by adjusting the amount of blood flow to the pouch.

Fossil evidence suggests that pelicans have existed for over 30 million years, making them one of the oldest surviving bird families.

Pelicans have been used in traditional fisheries for centuries, with some cultures training the birds to help catch fish.

Pelicans are known to have a strong homing instinct, often returning to the same nesting sites year after year.

Pelicans can be quite opportunistic and have been known to steal fish from other seabirds, such as gulls and terns.

The collective name for a group of pelicans is a "squadron" or a "scoop," reflecting their coordinated fishing and flight behaviors.

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