There's more to the pelican than a pouch

There are eight different species of pelican — and all share the characteristic throat pouch they are famous for. The gular pouch, as it is known, is not used for storing food but for catching it — like a built-in fishing net. After grabbing their prey, which is ususally fish, pelicans drain any excess water and settle down to dine.

Pelicans have a network of air sacs under their skin and even inside their bones which help them stay buoyant. Dalmatian pelicans, pictured here, have distinctive curly silver neck feathers and are the largest birds among the species. They prefer warmer temperatures, and generally breed in southeastern Europe, Russia, India and China.

During breeding season, pelicans' bills and pouches develop an even brighter color, helping them to attract mates. While some pelican species nest on the ground, others take to the trees. The birds are so large that they're rarely at risk from predators, although their chicks can be vulnerable.

This pelican is catching a fish thrown by a park keeper in London. In the wild, pelican chicks are able to feed by reaching into their parents' pouches with their own bills. Usually, only one chick per nest lives longer than a few weeks — only the strongest survive the tough competition with their siblings.

Pelicans often hunt in groups, working together to sweep fish into shallow water before scooping them up. They also usually travel in flocks and breed in colonies, gathering in areas where there's an ample supply of food for a large number of birds.

The great white pelican is among the most widely distributed of the species. They can be found accross Africa as well as in southeastern Europe. It is listed as a species of "least concern," but faces threats such as overfishing, which limits food supply, and hunting — for their meat, for their skin as a source of leather, or their fat for medicinal oils.

Most pelican populations are considered to be stable, although factors including pollution, the destruction of habitats and disturbance by humans are putting them at risk. Nonetheless, three pelican species are currently classified as "near threatened" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Disney's much loved animated 2003 children's movie "Finding Nemo" featured Nigel — a brown pelican who rescues the main characters from disaster. Historically, pelicans have often been adopted as cultural symbols, for example representing parenthood or self-sacrifice.