The sky is the domain of a great multitude of flying creatures that we call birds. One of the most remarkable birds is the Pelican. Found on every continent except Antarctica, there are eight living specimens. The smallest is the Brown Pelican with a wingspan of 2 to 2.3 metres (6ft 6in to 7ft 6in); whilst the largest is probably the Great White Pelican which has a wingspan of up to 3.6 metres (11ft 8in). Yet, relative to their size they are among the lightest of birds. On land they waddle but when they take off, they become airborne with only about five flaps of their wings. Flying majestically they are very clever at saving energy. As they pass over land they use ‘thermal updrafts’ to rise to over 4,200 metres (14,000ft). Then they glide for hundreds of metres/miles searching for suitable places to forage, breed or find another ‘thermal’. By this way the pelican can stay airborne for up to 24 hours. They have a fibrous layer deep in their breast muscles that holds the wings rigidly horizontal whilst they are aloft. A further means of travel is gliding along the crests of shallow waves in calm conditions, just above the surface, taking advantage of updrafts.
One feature of the Pelican, that cannot be missed, is its beak that can hold more than its belly. They have extendable gular pouches. The pouch is used to capture food and is amazingly very flexible. Pouch muscles are even used to squeeze out excess water so the food can be eaten. Although all birds have hollow bones, larger ones such as the Pelican, have a greater proportion of air filled spaces, making them exceptionally light. Pelicans also have a layer of air sacs under the skins, giving buoyancy as they sit high in the water. Most of the Pelican family catch fish as they float on the water but some dive from a considerable height. Catching fish needs skill with ability improving with maturity. The females feed their young by pressing their beak against their chest to allow the little ones to feed from the food in the gular pouch.
Anyone observing the Pelican, its many amazing features, its ability to fly and remain airborne for so long together with how it survives in the natural world; must admit that it has a unique designer. The Great Designer can only be God Himself. The Bible opens with the words. ‘In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth’. A statement that is the gateway to the whole Bible, the Word of God. It is clear, concise and cannot be misinterpreted, even though many neither accept or believe it. God is the one and only Creator. Everything in the whole Universe was created by Him. He has designed and made all things without exception, including the Pelican. . Absolutely everything about this bird and every other part of His creation works just as He desiigned and made it..
Despite the Pelican being such a marvellous creature, man holds the highest place in all that God created. He not only created man as a living being physically but He only gave man a living soul as well. Your soul cannot die, you will live forever beyond this life. Are you ready for that day somewhere in the future? God has not left you and I without a way whereby we cannot be ready for eternity He sent His Son the Lord Jesus Christ into the world to die on the cross as the supreme sacrifice for our sin, that is the barrier to us spending forever with Him,. So that if you will repent of your sin and put your faith and trust in Christ the punishment for your sin will be removed forever and you will spend all eternity with the Great Designer and Creator of the amazing Pelican and absolutely everything else as well.
DAILY MESSAGES WITH MEANING (07/04/25)
Written by RODERICK BARTON
All photos courtesy of Unsplash
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