The order Pelecaniformes is made up of the pelicans, gannets, cormorants and related birds. There are about 60 species in this group, and members are characterized by a fish-eating lifestyle, often with a pouch on the throat used for feeding. They generally nest in colonies and have webbing between all four toes. Pelican species include the white pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos, found on inland fresh waters of western and central North America, and the brown pelican Pelecanus occidentalis, found along the Pacific and Atlantic seaboards of the USA down to South America. Pelicans use their pouch to scoop fish from the water, and may have a bill up to 18 inches long.
Cormorants are diving birds found along many of the world's coastlines.
They often nest on sea cliffs or in trees and are slender-bodied with a small pouch. The great cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo is found in both eastern North America and in Europe, Asia and Africa. It prefers to feed in lakes, rivers, estuaries and coastal waters. Like other cormorants, the great cormorant has poorly waterproofed feathers, and often stands with its wings outstretched to dry them. The anhinga Anhinga anhinga looks rather similar to a cormorant, but has a longer, more pointed bill and a long curved neck.