AUSTRALIAN PELICAN
Pelecanus conspicillatus
DESCRIPTION
The Australian Pelican is one of Australia’s largest waterbirds. It has a mostly white body, black wings and an enormous pinkish bill with a large throat pouch. Despite its size, it is an excellent flyer and can soar high above the landscape using rising currents of warm air.
QUICK FACTS
• The Australian Pelican has the longest bill of any living bird.
• Its large throat pouch helps it scoop up fish and water.
• The pouch is not used to permanently store food.
• Pelicans can work together when feeding.
• Their huge wings allow them to soar for long distances with little effort.
• Australian Pelicans can travel hundreds or even thousands of kilometres when conditions change.
• Large numbers can gather where food and water are plentiful.
WHERE IT LIVES
Australian Pelicans occur across most of Australia wherever suitable water is available. They are common around the wetlands, billabongs and floodplains of Kakadu National Park, as well as rivers, lakes, estuaries and coastal waters.
WHAT IT EATS
Pelicans mainly eat fish, but they will also take crustaceans, insects and other small aquatic animals. Groups of pelicans sometimes work together to herd fish into shallow water where they are easier to catch.
PETE'S PHOTO STORY
I photographed this group of Australian Pelicans from the Mamukala Bird Hide in Kakadu National Park. Most were calmly sitting together when suddenly one came charging through the middle with its wings spread wide, sending water everywhere. With the pink lotus flowers and dense wetland vegetation behind them, that sudden burst of action turned a peaceful scene into one of those unexpected wildlife moments that makes Mamukala such a great place to photograph birds.