Name

Pelicans
By Brandi Waters
Pelicans are a kind of bird that you might see
near water. They live on coastlines and near
lakes and rivers. They live near the water
because pelicans eat fish. They have a large,
stretchy pouch under their bill. Pelicans use their
pouch to scoop up fish out of the water. Some
pelicans do their fishing from the air. When they
have found a group of fish, they will fly down
toward the water and scoop up the fish. Some
pelicans dive into the water to get the fish. Other
pelicans do their fishing in the water. They
paddle through the water and scoop up fish in
their pouch. Some pelicans work together to trap
fish in shallow water. They can trap enough fish for them all to share.
Next time you are near the water, take a look around. You might see
one of these interesting birds!

3. Pelicans catch fish by ______.

A. scooping up fish they have spotted from the air
B. scooping up fish as they paddle through the water
C. working together
D. all of the above
4. Why do pelicans live near the water?

5. Explain two different ways that pelicans catch fish.

Write a story about a pelican that catches more than just fish in his
pouch.

Pelicans

Questions
1. Pelicans are a kind of bird that you will see near ______.
A. people
B. water
C. mountains
D. all of the above
2. A pelican has a large ______ that helps it to catch many fish at
one time.
A. stretchy pouch
B. net
C. rounded tongue
D. spear-like bill

Name

Some people do not like pelicans. What reasons can you think of that
people might give for not liking pelicans?