When you throw an Ender Pearl, The Ender pearl its self looks like an Item.

When you throw an Ender pearl, The Flying Ender Pearl its self looks like an Item. Here are some screenshots

Link: Ender Pearl in 1.7: http://i.imgur.com/IWTuJmn.png
http://i.imgur.com/bVqBXD3.png

Ender pearl in 1.8: http://i.imgur.com/urC8wty.png
http://i.imgur.com/P8bLkDz.png
http://i.imgur.com/J4EQO63.png
http://i.imgur.com/u6jPlv2.png