Why do pelicans have pouches?
For grown-ups: the science
Pelicans use their stretchy throat pouches to scoop fish from the water, drain the water away, and then swallow the fish.
The gular pouch is expandable skin beneath a pelican’s lower bill. During feeding, it holds fish and water; the pelican drains water before swallowing prey. Some species flutter the pouch, increasing evaporation and potentially aiding cooling. Nobody knows for sure yet how important pouch fluttering is compared with other cooling methods in each pelican species.
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Transcript
A pelican dips its big bill into the water. Why is there a stretchy pouch under its beak?
The pouch opens wide as the pelican scoops up fish and water. It works like a stretchy net under the bill.
The pelican tips its bill down, and water drains out through the sides. Then it swallows the fish.
Some pelicans also flutter their pouch on hot days. Moving air helps water evaporate, which can cool them.
So, a pelican's pouch helps it catch fish without swallowing a big gulp of water. It may help some pelicans cool down, too!