These amazing birds are the state marine bird of California. They are very large birds with wing spans up to 7 feet! They stand at about 3 feet tall as adults. We see them sunning on rocks and floating in the ocean. The pelicans are social so you will always see them in groups. They can see fish from 40 feet in the air. They will pull their wings back against their bodies and drop straight into the water. They take 3 gallons of water into the pouch. After draining the pouch they must turn each fish with their tongues to go head first down the throat. This prevents them from choking since a fishes scales run head to tail. When they fly in the V formation it is a fantastic sight.