Pink-Backed Pelican
ExploreBirds
Pink-Backed Pelican
pelecanus rufescens
The Pink-Backed Pelican is a large and graceful bird known for its beautiful pinkish feathers on its back. These pelicans love to glide over water and can often be seen fishing with their big beaks!
Habitat: They live in freshwater lakes, rivers, and coastal areas in Africa and parts of Asia.
Appearance
The Pink-Backed Pelican is a large waterbird, predominantly greyish-white with a distinctive pale pinkish wash on its back, especially noticeable in breeding season. It has a large, flattened bill featuring a vibrant yellow-orange throat pouch and a shaggy crest on its nape.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderPelecaniformesFamilyPelecanidaeGenusPelecanus
Category
BirdsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Pelican chicks stick their heads deep into their parents' throats to grab their fishy meals!
Pink-Backed Pelicans have special glands that remove salt from saltwater, so they can drink it!
Their 'pink back' gets much brighter during mating season, a flashy display of health!
These pelicans build their large nests high in trees, often near water, creating huge colonies!
Special abilities
Ability
Gullet Scoop
Pink-Backed Pelicans have an expandable throat pouch that helps them scoop up fish like a net.
Ability
Air Glider
Pink-Backed Pelicans can use warm air currents to soar effortlessly for long distances, saving energy.
Ability
Synchronized Swimmer
Pink-Backed Pelicans often fish cooperatively, herding fish together to catch more efficiently.
Ability
Water Shield
Pink-Backed Pelicans have special oil-coated feathers that help them stay dry and buoyant in water.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 125-155 cm
- Wingspan
- 215-290 cm
- Weight
- 4-7 kg
- Lifespan
- 15-25 years
- Top Speed
- 50 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 2-3
- Incubation
- 30-36 days
Diet & Feeding
These expert fishers primarily eat fish, using their large pouches to scoop them from the water.
Primary Foods
- Tilapia
- Cichlids
- Catfish
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Nile Crocodile
Crocodylus niloticus
Eggs and chicks are prey.
eaten by
African Fish Eagle
Haliaeetus vocifer
Predates on young pelicans.
hunts
Nile Tilapia
Oreochromis niloticus
Primary food source.
shelters
Nile Acacia
Acacia nilotica
Nests built in branches.
Traits
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Carnivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Aquatic
Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
Also known as
African Pelican
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Pink-Backed Pelican?
125-155 cm
What is Pink-Backed Pelican's wingspan?
215-290 cm
How much does Pink-Backed Pelican weigh?
4-7 kg
How long does Pink-Backed Pelican live?
15-25 years
How fast can Pink-Backed Pelican move?
50 km/h
What does Pink-Backed Pelican eat?
These expert fishers primarily eat fish, using their large pouches to scoop them from the water.
Where is Pink-Backed Pelican usually found?
They live in freshwater lakes, rivers, and coastal areas in Africa and parts of Asia.
How does Pink-Backed Pelican hunt?
Foraging
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