Australian Pelican Illustration

Image: Australian Pelican Illustration

Description

Illustrator:: Andrew Howells
Rights:: © Australian Museum
Common name:: Australian Pelican
Scientific name:: Pelecanus conspicillatus

Additional information

Australian Pelicans are huge black and white birds that live in areas with water all over Australia. They have very long pale pink beaks that have a small hook on the end and a stretching pouch underneath. When their wings are outstretched they measure over 2 m across. They have feet with four fully webbed toes.

Australian Pelicans swim around searching for fish, yabbies and crabs to eat during the day. They sometimes swim in a group and drive fish into shallow areas. They trap the fish in their pouched beak and swallow them whole.
Australian Pelicans call with pig-like grunting sounds.

Australian Pelicans make loose nests on the ground from sticks and plant stems. Females lay two to four large white eggs. Both parents take turns to sit on the eggs (incubate) for 32 to 35 days. When the eggs hatch the chicks are helpless and without feathers. Both parents feed the chicks until they have feathers and are ready to fly in about 14 weeks.

Although spending a lot of time on the water, pelicans never dive.

Find out more about the Australian Pelican on the Birds in Backyards website.

Last Updated: 12 August 2009

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