THROUGH MY LENS - Amsterdam Zoo

For Through My Lens this week, I am showing you the Great White Pelican which I photographed at the the Artis Royal Zoo in Amsterdam. Male Great White Pelicans are slightly larger than females and both have a huge wingspan of up to 3 metres wide.

The Great White Pelican’s huge, long bill/beak is used to scoop up fish from the water. The pouch under the beak is stretchy and can hold several litres of water. As the Pelican pushes its bill underwater, the lower bill bows out, creating a large pouch which fills with water and fish. As the bird lifts its head, the pouch contracts, forcing out the water but retaining the fish which are swallowed whole.

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