Open wide! Seagull has a narrow escape after almost being gulped down by hungry pelican

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Photographer Yuri Belyaev catches the dramatic moment a seagull narrowly escapes being caught by a pelican


This is the dramatic moment a seagull on the prowl for food almost ends up as dinner itself by getting dangerously close to the gaping bill of a peckish pelican.

Just as it looks set to be swallowed whole it makes an incredible escape to safety and leaves the pelican in a complete flap.


Pelicans usually survive on a diet of fish, crustaceans and squids, but they have been known to eat smaller birds


Stunned photographer Yuri Belyaev, 35, caught the remarkable last ditch escape while on holiday with his friend in Namibia. The West African country is popular with eco-tourists who visit to enjoy safaris and take boat trips to see dolphins. The coastal wetlands are a popular destination for birdwatchers.


The wing span of pelicans can extend up to three metres, roughly three times the wing span of an average adult seagull


With a wing span extending up to three metres, the pelican's diet is usually fish, crustaceans such as prawns and crabs, and squids, but they have been known to eat amphibians and also smaller birds on occasion.

A few years ago, children were horrified to watch a pelican swallow a pigeon in St. James's Park in London.


source: dailymail

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Pink pelicans sit in an aviary in a zoo in Barnaul

Pink pelicans sit in an aviary in a zoo in Barnaul, November 16, 2010. A flock of African pink pelicans en route home landed in Siberia on Tuesday, astounding local residents after they lost their way south thrown by Russia's abnormally warm weather.




A zoo official carries a pink pelican to its aviary in Barnaul, November 16, 2010. A flock of African pink pelicans en route home landed in Siberia on Tuesday, astounding local residents after they lost their way south thrown by Russia's abnormally warm weather.




Zoo officials hold pink pelicans at their aviary in Barnaul, November 16, 2010. A flock of African pink pelicans en route home landed in Siberia on Tuesday, astounding local residents after they lost their way south thrown by Russia's abnormally warm weather.




Pink pelicans sit in an aviary in a zoo in Barnaul, November 16, 2010. A flock of African pink pelicans en route home landed in Siberia on Tuesday, astounding local residents after they lost their way south thrown by Russia's abnormally warm weather.


source: Daylife
photo: Reuters

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Going, going, GONE! Pigeon shuns chance of great escape after being scooped up by hungry pelican in London park

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Sitting pretty - but not for long: The pigeon misses his chance to escape from the pelican's beak


When a pigeon was gobbled up by a greedy pelican, it looked like instant game over for the little bird.

But when the predator unexpectedly opened up his huge beak again, the pigeon was given a chance to save himself and fly away.

Confusingly, however, the dopey bird instead chose to simply sit in the beak taking in the view - and missed his only opportunity to escape.

Not surprisingly, he was eaten up.

Photographer Paul Mansfield, 44, captured the remarkable scene while on a day trip to London with his family.

The pigeon had been pecking at crumbs in St James' Park, Westminster, when he was targeted by the pelican.

Mr Mansfield said: 'I noticed a small crowd gathered at the side of a lake that was 'oohing' and 'arghing'.

'On closer inspection I could see what all the fuss was about.
'On the grassy bank a pelican had managed to gobble up a pigeon.'


Going... The pigeon, which had been eating crumbs at St James' Park in London, is trapped


Going... With the crowd willing it to escape, the bird disappears from view


Mr Mansfield, from Brighton, East Sussex, added: 'The crowd was willing it to escape, with shouts of "Come on, you can do it!".'

'During one such moment the pigeon stood inside the peak, head peering out, with its body silhouetted on the pelican's pouch.

'There was another big gulp and you could see the pigeon slide further down the pouch.

'Then another and it was gone. There were gasps of disbelief from many in the crowd.'
Unbelievably the same pelican then gulped another bird nearby and the whole process started again.

Mr Mansfield said: 'I had seen enough and headed for more pleasant vistas along the South Bank.'



Gone! The outline of the pigeon can be seen in the pelican's neck as it is swallowed whole


source :dailymail

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