Pelican
ExploreBirds
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
Category
BirdsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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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
Ability
Pouch Power
Pelican has a huge throat pouch that helps them scoop up fish and drain water before swallowing their meal.
Ability
Soaring Master
Pelican can soar effortlessly on thermal currents for hours, conserving energy while searching for food.
Ability
Team Fishing
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
Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers.
Webbed Feet
Characterized by having toes connected by a membrane, typically aiding in swimming.
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Aerial
Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting.
Piscivorous
Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish.
Coastal
Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Keystone Species
Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.
Also known as
White Pelican
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Observe pelicans from a safe distance to avoid startling them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Pelican?
106-183 cm
What is Pelican's wingspan?
180-350 cm
How much does Pelican weigh?
2.7-15 kg
How long does Pelican live?
10-30 years
How fast can Pelican move?
56 km/h
What does Pelican eat?
Pelicans are expert fish hunters, scooping them up in their enormous throat pouch to swallow whole.
Where is Pelican usually found?
Coastal areas
How does Pelican hunt?
Foraging
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