great white pelican

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for an animal who is obviously ruthless in its approach to food, you have captured the serenity of this beautiful bird. well done picture, I feel as though Im sat on the bank watching him just float by. glad im not around when he is feeding.

Thanks Deborah Clarke for the appreciative words...

I love Pelicans and this one is lovely Pratim

My pleasure Ros Patterson and Thanks ....

PAKHI DEKHUN PAKHI CHINUN # 322 (Observe the Bird and recognize)..GREAT WHITE PELICAN...[From a Photograph of HITEN RADHAPURA] ....WATERCOLOUR...A4...2014... The Great White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus) also known as the Eastern White Pelican, Rosy Pelican or White Pelican is a bird in the pelican family. It breeds from southeastern Europe through Asia and in Africa in swamps and shallow lakes. The Great White Pelican is a huge bird, with only the Dalmatian Pelican averaging larger amongst the pelicans. The wingspan can range from 226 to 360 cm (7.41 to 11.81 ft), with the latter measurement the largest recorded among extant flying animals outside of the great albatrosses. The total length of the Great White Pelican can range from 140 to 180 cm (55 to 71 in), with the enormous bill comprising 28.9 to 47.1 cm (11.4 to 18.5 in) of that length. Adult males, weigh from 9 to 15 kg (20 to 33 lb), though large races from the Palaearctic are usually around 11 kg (24 lb) with few exceeding 13 kg (29 lb). Females are considerably less bulky and heavy, weighing from 5.4 to 9 kg (12 to 20 lb). Among standard measurements, the wing chord length is 60 to 73 cm (24 to 29 in), the tail is 16 to 21 cm (6.3 to 8.3 in) and the tarsus is 13 to 14.9 cm (5.1 to 5.9 in). Great White Pelicans are usually birds found in and around shallow, (seasonally or tropical) warm fresh water. The pelican's pouch serves simply as a scoop. 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. Pelicans are not restricted to fish, however, and are often opportunistic foragers. In some situations they eat chicks of other birds. Great White Pelicans also eat crustaceans, tadpoles and even turtles. They readily accept handouts from humans, and a number of unusual items have been recorded in their diet. During periods of starvation, pelican