"A wonderful bird is the pelican..."

The Murray River was a great destination to watch and photograph this iconic and interesting bird. The bill and pouch of pelicans play an important role in feeding. The bill is sensitive and this helps locate fish in murky water. Pelicans plunge their bills into the water, using their pouches as nets. Once something is caught, a pelican draws its pouch to its breast. This empties the water and allows the bird to manoeuvre the prey into a swallowing position. "Its beak can hold more than its belly can..."