Lucky Pelican Escapes from Whale's Mouth

The brown-feathered bird had been feasting on anchovies among a group of eight humpback whales in Monterey Bay, California.

A hundred sea lions and other species of seabirds also gathered for the feeding frenzy on November 23.

The brown pelican had been sitting on the surface of the water gobbling up the fish when the humpback whale burst from the sea to collect a mouthful of anchovy.

Unluckily, the whale appeared to swallow the bird with the fish – and the pelican’s wing can be seen extended out from the sea animal’s mouth.

Kate Cummings, who took the pictures for Blue Ocean Whale Watch, said: “This particular pelican's timing was a bit off and didn't lift off fast enough before the humpback whales emerged.

“The humpback didn't close its mouth all the way. It's very likely the whale felt the pelican in its mouth and didn't want to crush it.

“We watched as the whale opened its mouth wide before submerging again and the pelican hopped across the water with no visible damage.

“Humpback whales have a special organ on the roof of their mouth - a long, pink strip that's often confused for the whale's tongue.

“It's very sensitive and is likely used to get a feel for how much food the whale is taking in with one mouthful, though they could also use it to detect something inside their mouth that didn't belong there - like a pelican.”