Why do pelicans have pouches?
For grown-ups: the science
Pelicans use their stretchy pouches to scoop up fish and sometimes carry food to their chicks.
A pelican's gular pouch is a highly extensible throat pouch used mainly to scoop fish while draining water before swallowing. Adults may also carry food back to chicks, which take it from the parent's bill or pouch area.
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Transcript
Look at that pelican by the water. Why does it have a big pouch under its beak?
A pelican opens its beak wide and scoops fish and water into its stretchy pouch. The pouch works like a fishing net.
Then the pelican tips up its beak and lets the water run out. The fish stay inside for a quick swallow.
Parents also carry fish in their pouches to bring back to their chicks. That helps the chicks get food at their nest.
So, a pelican's pouch helps it catch fish and feed its chicks!