Close-up of a great white pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus) uropygial gland. This gland, also known as the preen gland, secretes lubricants that keep their feathers from drying out completely and in so doing assists with waterproofing.This gregarious bird, also known as the eastern white pelican, travels in flocks, hunts cooperatively and breeds colonially in Africa and Eurasia. It feeds mostly on fish by plunging its large bill in the water. It can reach a length of up to 160 centimetres, with a wingspan of 280 centimetres. Photographed in Walvis Bay, Namibia. | |
Lizenzart: | Lizenzpflichtig |
Credit: | Science Photo Library / Camacho, Tony |
Bildgröße: | 5130 px × 3418 px |
Modell-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Eigentums-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Restrictions: | - |