This Greek Restaurant’s Most Loyal Patron is a … Bird?

Quick Take

• A single injured bird stumbled into Mykonos in 1955, an event that would permanently change the island's identity. See how it started →
• When Petros died, the island didn't just grieve. It did something unexpected to cope. Read about his passing →
• Not every pelican that replaced Petros has won over the crowd, and that difference turns out to matter more than you'd think. Meet the replacements →

Just when you thought the Greek island of Mykonos couldn’t get more magical, you find out that you could be sharing your moussaka with a pelican! Check out this fabulous Instagram clip of Petros the pelican calling into his local taverna for a fishy snack. Want to know more? We’ve got you covered.

The History of the Mykonos Pelicans

In 1955, Mykonos harbor was simply a working fishing port without a tourist in sight. One day, a local fisherman found an injured pelican struggling in the water. According to the story in Mykonos Sailing, the fisherman rescued the bird, who was later adopted by a local resident called Theodoris Kyrantonis. The pelican was named Petros and chose to stick close to the harbor rather than fly away. A pelican’s diet is made up mainly of fish so it’s easy to see why the bird found a fishing harbor such a desirable place to live!

Over the following decades, Petros became a famous sight in the area. He regularly waddled through the streets, loved by the locals. When tourists began frequenting Mykonos, they loved him too!

The Demise of Petros

Pelicans are long-lived birds with a lifespan of around 50 years. In 1985, Petros passed away and the entire island went into mourning. Mykonos could not cope without a pelican! So, a replacement was found, and since then, there have been several other resident pelicans. Some are friendlier and more outgoing than others.  

Permanent Flock in the Harbor

These days, there are usually one or more resident pelicans in Mykonos harbor, and they are a popular tourist attraction. According to this interview in Yachting Magazine with local restaurant owner Constantine Monoguio, all the tourists that come to Mykonos now want to search out Petros. Just read the comments in the Instagram post, and you’ll see how many people have fond memories of meeting him.

Constantine Monoguio who owns the local ‘Fisherman Giorgos & Marina Restaurant’ also explains how one pelican has a daily routine! He starts the day at Yialo Yialo restaurant, which is where you see him in this clip. Here, he spends his morning, hoping to get some fish. Then, he moves on to Little Venice, looking for even more fish. Not a bad life for a pelican!