Pelicans are a genus of large waterbirds that make up the family Pelecanidae. They are characterised by a long beak and large throat pouch used for catching prey and draining water from the scooped up contents before swallowing.
Pelicans are a genus of large waterbirds that inhabit coastal and inland waters throughout the world. The most widely distributed species is the brown pelican, which ranges from the coasts of North and South America to the shores of Africa and Australia.
The pelican has a long history, with fossil evidence indicating that the genus Pelecanus has been present on Earth for over 30 million years. The first recorded use of the word pelican dates back to the 12th century, and the bird has been associated with Christianity since the early days of the religion.
Pelicans were traditionally believed to be monogamous, but recent studies have shown that they are actually polygynous, with a single male mating with multiple females. The average lifespan of a pelican is 20-30 years, but some individuals have been known to live for over 50 years.
