Pelican

Last updated: January 5, 2023
Verified by: AZ Animals Staff
© iliuta goean/Shutterstock.com

Can have a wingspan of up to 3 meters!


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Pelican Scientific Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Pelecaniformes
Family
Pelecanidae
Genus
Pelecanus

Read our Complete Guide to Classification of Animals.

Pelican Conservation Status

Pelican Locations

Pelican Facts

Main Prey
Fish, Crabs, Turtles
Fun Fact
Can have a wingspan of up to 3 meters!
Distinctive Feature
Pouch hanging from underside of beak and keen eyesight
Wingspan
183cm - 350cm (72in - 138in)
Habitat
Arid islands and coastal waters
Predators
Human, Cat, Coyote
Diet
Omnivore
Lifestyle
  • Flock
Favorite Food
Fish
Type
Bird
Average Clutch Size
6
Slogan
Can have a wingspan of up to 3 meters!
Nesting Location
Ground or tree, depending on the species

Pelican Physical Characteristics

Color
  • Grey
  • Black
  • White
Skin Type
Feathers
Top Speed
40 mph
Lifespan
16 - 23 years
Weight
2.7kg - 15kg (6lbs - 33lbs)
Height
106cm - 183cm (42in - 72in)

View all of the Pelican images!



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With their distinctive stocky build and unique bills, pelicans are birds that have been a symbol of popular culture since medieval times, appearing in art and on coats of arms.

These waterfowl are known for the massive amounts of fish they consume, often eating as much as four pounds per day. One of the lesser-known facts about the pelican bird involves the high altitudes at which they can fly.

An Incredible Bird: Pelican Facts!

  • The beak pouch can hold as much as three gallons of water, which is more than three times what this animal’s stomach can hold.
  • The brown pelican is the only species that dive-bombs into the water to catch fish, often swooping down from a height of 60 or 70 feet.
  • Although they are heavy birds, pelicans fly easily thanks to air sacs in their bones, which allow them to reach heights of 10,000 feet when gliding on warm air currents.
  • Pelican birds often hunt cooperatively by splashing the water’s surface with their wings to move fish into shallow water where they can scoop them up with their beaks.
  • Pelican birds played a popular role in medieval and Renaissance Christian art, primarily due to a myth that these animals stabbed themselves in the breast to feed their chicks.

Bird Scientific Name

Pelicans belong to the genus Pelecanus in the family Pelecanidae or the order Pelecaniformes. The two best-known types have white feathers, the North American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) and the European white pelican (P. onocrotalus). Other species and their scientific names include the brown pelican (P. occidentalis), the Peruvian pelican (P. thagus), the great white pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus), the Australian pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus), the pink-backed pelican (P. conspicillatus) and the Dalmatian pelican (P. crispus). The pelican’s scientific names further divide into two subgroup types encompassing New World and Old World pelicans.

Types

There are 8 main pelican species:

  • American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos): Recognisable by its brilliant white plumage, this bird is rather portly and has the distinction of being North America’s longest bird. It is also known for its rather impressive wing span which can reach 10 feet which is longer than any other North American bird with the exception of the Californian condor.
  • Australian pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus): This avian’s distinguishing features include a large pink bill (the largest of any species on the planet), pristine white feathers, and dark wings. In spite of its name, it can also be found in Fiji, Indonesia, and New Zealand.
  • Brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis): The smallest species of pelican this avian nevertheless enjoys a certain measure of status as the state bird of Louisiana and the national bird of Barbados. Its wingspan can reach over 7 feet while its feathers are generally darker in contrast to the gleaming white possessed by its cousins.
  • Dalmatian pelican (Pelecanus crispus)
  • Great white pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus)
  • Peruvian pelican (Pelecanus thagus)
  • Pink-backed pelican (Pelecanus rufescens)
  • Spot-billed pelican (Pelecanus philippensis)

Evolution

The evolutionary history of pelicans seems to be shrouded in mystery. However, experts generally agree that their ancestors, along with those of gulls and terns, separated to form a separate branch 70 million years ago during the Cretaceous period.

Fourteen million years later, by the Eocene period, the ancestors of hamerkops, herons, ibises, pelicans, and spoonbills, had separated once more. By the early Miocene period, 33 million years after the second divergence, this evolutionary branch had divided into six main species which exist today.



Appearance

White pelican in flight, catching the fish, Namibia, Africa

A pelican’s beak can hold thrice the capacity of its stomach

©MZPHOTO.CZ/Shutterstock.com

Easily recognized by their large body sitting on short legs and a long wingspan, these birds are also characterized by their webbed feet, long necks, and, most notably, their unique beak and accompanying large pouch. Their tails are short and square, while their wings are long and broad, making them suitable for gliding on air currents. Most of them have light-colored plumage, except for brown and Peruvian pelicans, the latter of which have bright feathers.

All pelicans become brightly colored around their bills, pouches, and facial skin during the breeding season. Most also develop a knob on the upper part of their bills, which falls off annually when breeding season has finished. The largest species is the Dalmatian pelican bird, weighing 22 to 26 pounds, while the smallest is the brown pelican at only eight to ten pounds.

Beak

These birds have the largest beaks of any bird. In some species, the beak can reach up to 18 inches long. The large pouch, called a gular, underneath the beak is the pelican’s most unique feature. These birds use their unique anatomy primarily to scoop up fish and then drain out the water that comes with their catch, but some birds also use their beak pouch as a way to cool themselves by swinging it back and forth on warm days. The upper part of the beak also has a downward hook, which these birds also use for catching fish. Male Australian pelicans have the longest bills of any species, measuring 1.6 feet long.

Behavior

American White Pelican

Pelicans are gregarious by nature however, they are also territorial

©Images by Dr. Alan Lipkin/Shutterstock.com

These birds are extremely social birds, living in colonies of several hundred individuals. Groups of these birds are known by many different names, including brief, pod, pouch, squadron, and scoop. They like to be around other bird species, too, including cormorants or flamingos. Depending on the species, they built nests in trees, bushes, or on the ground. When they are not eating, they spend their time sleeping, sunbathing, or preening. At dusk, the bird will settle down to sleep with their heads resting back on their shoulders, eyes closed, and feathers ruffled against the cold.

You’ll often see pelicans birds migrating in flocks, either in a V formation or a single line. Both sexes remain grouped throughout the year along with their young. Generally, they only become vocal when in their breeding colony, grunting to express excitement. Adults rely on visual displays using their wings and beaks to communicate. Among the more interesting facts are chicks are generally quite vocal before they leave the nest. They hiss through gaping bills to express displeasure. Some birds will also clap their beaks while looking up or gape, bow and wag their heads to defend their territory.

Habitat

These birds live on all continents except Antarctica, usually in warm climates near coastal or inland waters such as lakes and rivers, although their range can extend to temperate climate types with defined seasons. They like to congregate on islands whenever possible.

Diet

Dalmatian Pelican eats fish with in the snowy environment, Pelecanus crispus, Kerkini Lake, Greece

Pelicans have a penchant for seafood and meaty fare

©JaklZdenek/Shutterstock.com

These birds are carnivores, eating a diet primarily of fish. Their favorites are carp, shiners, mullet, and minnows, although preferred fish vary by species. They will also eat amphibians, crustaceans, insects, other birds, and even small mammals. They eat in groups or by themselves, although Dalmatian and pink-backed pelicans prefer to eat alone. Brown and Peruvian pelicans spot their prey at great heights and then dive into the water to retrieve their catch.

Predators and Threats

coyote in sunlight

Coyotes constitute a threat to these birds known for their unique beaks

©Mircea Costina/Shutterstock.com

Because of their large size, these birds have few predators. Wild dogs and coyotes can be counted among their predators, along with cats. However, the greatest threat to their existence comes from humans. The use of the insecticide DDT in the 20th century caused their eggshells to thin, almost wiping out brown pelicans. As more people moved to coastal areas, development intruded on pelican nesting areas. After DDT was banned in 1972, the brown pelican population rebounded. They are no longer considered endangered but are listed as vulnerable.

Dalmatian pelicans, native to parts of eastern Europe around the Mediterranean and some parts of western Asia, also face human threats as their wetlands habitat is shrinking. Recent conservation efforts have helped steady their numbers.

Many different species in heavily populated areas have become dependent on people feeding them, which encourages them to stop hunting. Pelicans who beg food from humans don’t receive the necessary nutrients and run the risk of succumbing to disease. Others tend to hunt in areas where commercial fishermen have cast their nets and hooks. The birds become entangled in them, with some fishermen only cutting them free, not removing the netting or the hook, thus endangering the birds’ lives. Oil spills, water pollution, and chemical dumps also threaten pelicans.

Reproduction, Babies, and Lifespan

A Pair of Pelican chicks in nest

Pelican chicks are fed by both parents before learning to fend for themselves

©Julie rubacha/Shutterstock.com

These birds are monogamous for a single season. Males use various tactics to attract females when mating. Some pelican species only mate seasonally, while others can mate all year long. Males in some species change the color of their pouch and neck feathers during courtship to attract females. Both sexes are involved in building nests that usually consist of feathers, leaves, and sticks. Ground-nesting species have a complicated courtship ritual that consists of several males chasing after one female. Tree-nesting species have a more simple courtship where males advertise for females.

Copulation occurs at the nest, three to 10 days before egg-laying. Both males and females are in charge of building the nests, using feathers, leaves, and sticks. Females can lay anywhere from one to six eggs, depending upon the species, which take 30 to 36 days to incubate.

Both parents incubate the eggs by standing on top of them. Eggs hatch in the order laid, with the first chick usually being the largest. Hatchling chicks are naked and pink, eventually darkening to great or black within 14 days, followed by a covering of white or grey down. Immature pelicans have feathers that are darker than those of their parents. Young pelicans feed by sticking their beaks into their parents’ gullet to retrieve regurgitated fish.

When chicks are about 25 days old, they begin to gather in pods of other young birds. Parents recognize and only feed their offspring. By two months, they begin to go further afield and occasionally swim, sometimes practicing communal feeding. By 12 weeks, they leave the nest, sometimes remaining with their parents but are rarely fed by them. Pelican birds are sexually mature at three to four years of age.

Pelicans have a lifespan of 10 to 30 years in the wild; the oldest recorded wild animal of this genus lived to 43 years.

Population

The world population of brown pelicans has been estimated at being approximately 300,000, while Peruvian pelicans number 350,000. Pelicans have a population ranging from 10,000 to 13,900. About 100,000 white pelicans live in North America, while Europe is home to as many as 10,000 breeding pairs. Australian pelicans are widespread, with an estimated 300,000 to 500,000 birds spread across the continent.

Birds in the Zoo: Where to find the Pelican

In zoos, the pelican bird share their habitat with cormorants, ducks, and other water birds. They reside in some of the most popular exhibits at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, which is the only zoo in North America to have great white, Dalmatian, and pink-backed pelicans.

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About the Author

I love good books and the occasional cartoon. I am also endlessly intrigued with the beauty of nature and find hummingbirds, puppies, and marine wildlife to be the most magical creatures of all.

Pelican FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Are Pelicans herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores?

Pelicans are Omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and other animals.

What Kingdom do Pelicans belong to?

Pelicans belong to the Kingdom Animalia.

What class do Pelicans belong to?

Pelicans belong to the class Aves.

What phylum to Pelicans belong to?

Pelicans belong to the phylum Chordata.

What family do Pelicans belong to?

Pelicans belong to the family Pelecanidae.

What order do Pelicans belong to?

Pelicans belong to the order Pelecaniformes.

What type of covering do Pelicans have?

Pelicans are covered in Feathers.

What genus do Pelicans belong to?

Pelicans belong to the genus Pelecanus.

In what type of habitat do Pelicans live?

Pelicans live in arid islands and coastal waters.

What is the main prey for Pelicans?

Pelicans prey on fish, crabs, and turtles.

What are some predators of Pelicans?

Predators of Pelicans include humans, cats, and coyotes.

What are some distinguishing features of Pelicans?

Pelicans have a pouch hanging from the underside of their beaks and keen eyesight.

How many eggs do Pelicans lay?

Pelicans typically lay 6 eggs.

What is an interesting fact about Pelicans?

Pelicans can have a wingspan of up to 3 meters!

What do pelicans eat?

Their diet consists mainly of fish, but they will also eat turtles, tadpoles and crustaceans and may eat as much as four pounds of fish per day.

Where do pelicans live?

They live throughout the world, except in Antarctica, and are most numerous in semi-tropical and tropical climates, especially in the Gulf of Mexico, where they are an iconic symbol of the region.

What do pelicans look like?

Pelican are large birds with long necks, big bodies that sit on short legs with webbed feet, and a distinctive pouch for catching fish.

How much do pelicans weigh?

Pelicans are generally among the world’s largest bird, weighing eight pounds up to 30 pounds.

Are pelicans friendly?

Each bird has a distinct personality. They are generally friendly birds, but experts recommend that you don’t touch them because of their size and ferocity when alarmed.

Do pelicans migrate?

Most species migrate, although some birds, particularly colonies living in Florida, will spend the winter in their summer habitats.

How many eggs does a pelican lay?

Most species lay two to three eggs, although some can lay as many as six.

How fast do pelicans fly?

Pelicans can fly as fast as 30 mph but often prefer to spend their time in the air gliding while searching for food.

What is a pelican's wingspan?

Some pelican species have a wingspan of 6.6 feet to over 11 feet.

When do pelicans leave the nest?

Fledglings leave their nests 10 to 12 weeks after hatching.

What is the lifespan of a Pelican?

Pelicans can live for 16 to 23 years.

How do Pelicans have babies?

Pelicans lay eggs.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.

Sources
  1. Wikipedia, Available here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelican
  2. All About Birds, Available here: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_White_Pelican/id
  3. Audubon, Available here: https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/american-white-pelican
  4. Classic Collection of North American Birds, Available here: https://www.birds-of-north-america.net/pelicans.html

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