Hungry pelican opens bill like a basketball net - PHOTO

A hungry pelican opened its bill like a basketball net and slam-dunked a catfish into its enormous mouth for dinner.The hapless catfish was seen flying around the giant bird's mouth after being tossed in the air so it could be gobbled more easily.American photographer John Dykstra, 59 captured the moment on Lake Marsh in Minnesota, where he happened to be in the right place at the right time.He said: 'This white pelican repeatedly tossed the catfish up in the air and caught it again in its expanded bill, until the fish was positioned head-down for easy swallowing.'The fish are actually stunned after passing over a dam, which makes easy fishing for the pelicans.'While the catfish may be paralysed during the athletic display, the skill of throwing it so it lands the right way is laudable.Software engineer John explained: 'It has to go in the right way so the adult bird can take food back to its young, who are only a few weeks old.'Marsh Lake is home to the largest white pelican rookery in North America and is protected by the federal wildlife organisation.Many pelicans fish by swimming in cooperative groups. They may form a line or a 'U' shape and drive fish into shallow water by beating their wings on the surface. When fish congregate in the shallows, the pelicans simply scoop them up. The brown pelican, on the other hand, dives on fish from above and snares them in its bill. Pelicans do not store fish in their pouch, but simply use it to catch them and then tip it back to drain out water and swallow the fish immediately. The American white pelican can hold some three gallons of water in its bill. Young pelicans feed by sticking their bills into their parents' throats to retrieve food.Pelicans are found on many of the world's coastlines and also along lakes and rivers. They are social birds and typically travel in flocks, often strung out in a line. They also breed in groups called colonies, which typically gather on islands.In North America, the brown pelican is endangered, but populations are recovering to some extent.(dailymail.co.uk)ANN.Az