Australian Pelican

The Australian pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus) is a grand waterbird, part of the Pelecanidae family. It is distinguished by its predominantly white plumage, contrasting black wings, and a remarkable pink bill, which is the longest of any living bird. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with females being slightly smaller and possessing a more modest bill.

Identification Tips

Adult Australian pelicans boast a wingspan ranging from 2.3 to 2.6 meters and weigh between 4 to 13 kilograms. Their impressive bill can reach up to 50 centimetres in length. During courtship, the eye markings and bill exhibit vibrant hues of orange, dark blue, pink, and scarlet. Outside of breeding season, these features take on a more subdued yellow and pale pink colouring. Juveniles resemble adults but have brown replacing black and a reduced white patch on the upper wing.

Habitat

These pelicans are adaptable, inhabiting a variety of open water environments such as lakes, rivers, estuaries, and coastal lagoons. They are not particular about the surrounding landscape, which can range from forest to desert, as long as there is sufficient food supply.

Distribution

Widespread across Australia and New Guinea, the Australian pelican is also found in Fiji, parts of Indonesia, and occasionally as a vagrant in New Zealand. Their movements are dictated by food availability, often influenced by drought or abundance of water in their habitats.

Behaviour

Australian pelicans are known for their cooperative hunting strategy, herding fish into shallow waters for easier capture. They are also opportunistic feeders, consuming a variety of prey including fish, crustaceans, and sometimes other birds.

Breeding

Breeding seasons vary by location, with tropical regions seeing activity in winter and southern areas in spring. Nests are simple depressions in the ground, sometimes lined with grass. Breeding is a communal affair, often taking place on islands or sheltered areas near water. The species lays one to four chalky-white eggs, with incubation lasting 32 to 35 days.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Australian pelican is diverse, including fish, insects, crustaceans, and occasionally other birds. They are known to feed on both native and introduced fish species, as well as engaging in kleptoparasitism and cannibalism of young pelicans.

Conservation status

The Australian pelican is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. It is a protected species that has adapted well to human-altered landscapes, showing resilience in the face of habitat changes.