Can you tell the age of a pelican by the size of its pouch?

Pelican's pouch, also known as gular sac, is a unique anatomical feature that allows them to capture and store fish in large quantities. The size and shape of the pelican's pouch varies depending on the species, gender, and breeding season. However, it is not a reliable indicator of their age.

There are several factors that can affect the size of a pelican's pouch, including their health, breeding status, and the amount of food they consume. Young pelicans have smaller pouches compared to adults, but this difference disappears as they mature. Therefore, the size of a pelican's pouch is not a definitive way to determine their age.

If you need to determine the age of a pelican, there are other physical and behavioral characteristics that are more reliable. These include their feather coloration, beak length, and overall body size. Additionally, the observation of their behavior can also provide important clues about their age and developmental stage.