ExploreBird

Pelican

Pelecanus

Pelicans are large birds with long beaks and a throat pouch for catching fish. They are excellent divers and can be seen flying gracefully over coastal waters.

Habitat: Coastal areas

Appearance

The Pelican is a large water bird, recognized by its enormous, expandable throat pouch beneath a long beak. Its plumage varies from white to grey-brown, often with bright patches of color on its bill and feet during breeding season. They have webbed feet and a bulky body built for aquatic life.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderPelecaniformesFamilyPelecanidaeGenusPelecanus

Pelican

Interesting facts

A group of pelicans is called a 'scoop' or even a 'squadron' when flying high.

Pelican bones are hollow and filled with air, making them super light for impressive flight!

Pelican chicks are born without a throat pouch; it grows as they get older!

Some pelicans soar for hours without flapping their wings, using rising warm air currents.

Special abilities

Pelican has a huge throat pouch that helps them scoop up fish and drain water before swallowing their meal.

Pelican can soar effortlessly on thermal currents for hours, conserving energy while searching for food.

Pelican can work together in groups, using their bodies and wings to corral fish into shallow water.

Measurements & details

Length: 106-183 cm
Wingspan: 180-350 cm
Weight: 2.7-15 kg
Lifespan: 10-30 years
Top Speed: 56 km/h
Clutch Size: 1-4
Incubation: 30-36 days
Migration Distance: 4800 km

Diet & Feeding

Pelicans are expert fish hunters, scooping them up in their enormous throat pouch to swallow whole.

Age differences: Young chicks are fed regurgitated, partially digested fish by their parents, until they can hunt themselves.

Primary Foods

fish
crustaceans
amphibians
eels

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

hunts

Striped Mullet

Mugil cephalus

A common fish species often caught by pelicans.

eaten by

Kelp Gull

Larus dominicanus

Gulls may prey on pelican eggs and young chicks.

eaten by

Saltwater Crocodile

Crocodylus porosus

Large crocodiles can occasionally prey on adult pelicans.

Traits

Feathered

These are animals covered in soft, beautiful feathers that help them fly, stay warm, and even attract mates! Think of all the amazing birds you know.

Webbed Feet

These animals have special feet with skin between their toes, which helps them swim super fast!

Social

Discover creatures that love to live and work together! These animals form groups, helping each other find food, stay safe, and raise their young.

Aerial

Discover amazing creatures that spend much of their lives soaring high above the ground, often using wings to fly! They might hunt, travel, or even sleep up in the sky.

Piscivorous

Discover amazing animals that love to eat fish! They're like expert underwater hunters, always on the lookout for a tasty meal from the rivers, lakes, and oceans.

Coastal

Discover life found along the edges where land meets the sea! These habitats are always changing with the tides and waves, offering unique environments.

Diurnal

Wake up with creatures that are most active during the day! They love the sunshine for finding food, playing, and exploring.

Keystone Species

Discover the hidden heroes of nature! These special species play an incredibly important role in their habitat, holding the entire ecosystem together like a crucial piece of a puzzle.