Pelican
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This Pelican carving was hand-crafted from solid Basswood. Pelicans are large, heavy water birds with massive bills and huge throat pouches which are used as dip nets to catch fish. In flight, pelicans hold their heads drawn back. The non-breeding, adult Brown Pelican has a white head and neck, often washed with yellow; grayish brown body and blackish belly. In breeding birds, the hind-neck is dark-chestnut and a yellow patch appears at the base of the foreneck. The adult's eye color is light except during chick feeding, when it darkens. Juveniles are grayish brown above, tipped with pale buff and whitish under-parts. Immatures are browner and acquire the typical adult plumage by their third year. Dives from the air after its prey, capturing fish in its pouch.
Reference
National Geographic Field Guide To The Birds of North America, Fifth Edition, Page 102
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