Hello! We are the big migratory birds called Rosy Pelicans. We have several names like Rosy-white Pelicans or The Great White Pelicans. We are birds found near seashores and near water bodies.
Below are few interesting points about us, have a look:
- We are well-known for our fishing technique. We use our big gular pouch under our bill as a fishing net for the fish that we catch by scooping our bill in the water. This pouch is also used to transport water and food for our young.
- We are magnificent fliers and can travel about 500 km without stopping. We fly in flocks forming V-shape.
- This V shape has great significance. The tip has the leader who directs the flight while the edges have individuals who are health deficient.
- Along with big wings, we also have webbed feet which help us propel easily in the water.
- Did you know? We are mouth-breathers meaning we mostly breathe with our mouth.
SOME QUICK FACTS ABOUT US:
Our Scientific Name: Pelecamus onocratalus.
Identification: Big pinkish-white water birds with big bill possessing gular pouch and webbed feet.
Our Habitat: shallow fresh water, shallow lakes, ponds, rivers, and seashores.
Our Range:
Food Habits: Omnivorous; feed on fish, crustaceans, other birds’ eggs, and other small birds.
Breeding Period: October to March in India.
Number of eggs laid: 3-4 eggs.
Incubation period: 29-36 days.
Lifespan: 16-23 years.
IUCN red list status: Least Concern.
CITES: Appendix I.
Indian Wildlife Protection Act: Schedule IV.
SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Pelecaniformes
Family: Pelecanidae
Genus: Pelecanus
Species: P. Onocrotalus
COMPLETE DETAILS ABOUT US FOR ANIMAL ENTHUSIASTS:
We are the Rosy-white pelicans. We are commonly known as Great White Pelicans, white pelicans, and Eastern White Pelicans. We belong to the Pelican family. We are scientifically called as Pelecamus onocratalus.
Let us tell you more about our species.
HOW WE LOOK:
We are huge birds with males of our species measuring 170cm-180cm and females measuring 140cm-150cm. The wingspan of our species measures from 226cm to 360cm. We weigh 5.4kg-9kg.
Males and females look alike with females being smaller to males. We have predominantly white plumage with a pink tinge on the neck and yellowish base on fore-neck. Our feathers are black with whitish border. Our pink bill is enormous with a dull pale-yellow gular pouch. We have fleshy yellow legs with webbed feet. In breeding season, males have pinkish skin and females have orange skin. The young of our species have dark brownish underparts with head, neck, and most of the other parts being brown.
WE ARE FOUND IN:
We usually prefer living in shallow fresh water which is warm. We can be found also in shallow lakes, ponds, rivers, and seashores.
We have a wide range due to our adaptability. Our range lies in the following countries: Ethiopia, Tanzania, Chad, Botswana, Nigeria, Zambia, Northern Cameroons, South Africa, Soviet Union, Kazakhstan, Romania, Bulgaria, Israel, Iraq, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, China, Myanmar, Java, Bali, Nepal, and Indonesia.
WHAT WE EAT:
We are omnivorous animals and mainly feed on fish. We sometimes eat crustaceans. We occasionally rob other birds’ eggs and eat them. During the starvation period, we eat small birds like seagulls and ducklings.
We use our bill to catch the fish by pushing the bill underwater filling the bill and the pouch with water and fish. We drain out the water and eat the retained fish.
OUR REPRODUCTION:
Our breeding season varies according to our range. In India, it is from October to March. We build our nests in trees with sticks, grass, feathers and other material. Females lay 3-4 eggs at a time with an incubation period of 29-36 days.
The young are taken care of by both the parents and leave the parents and nest after 65-75 days. The young attain sexual maturity at 3-4 years of age. Our lifespan is 16-23 years.
MORE ABOUT US:
We are mostly silent birds but give out low-pitch sounds. We have a flight call which is a deep and quiet croak.
We hunt and feed together sometimes by dipping our bills in unison.
We are highly social birds living alongside other water birds.
Our strong webbed feet help us propel in the water.
We are powerful fliers and fly long distances. While flying we have slow wingbeats and form linear, circular or V-formation with other pelicans.
OUR CONSERVATION:
We are a widespread species but are not abundant anywhere. Though we are considered as “Least Concern” by IUCN in its red list, our populations are reducing due to overfishing, deforestation, and other factors. It is one of the species belonging to Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds. We are listed in CITES Appendix I and also protected in India under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 Schedule IV.
The overall population is not known. Our population in different countries is as follows: 75,000 pairs in Africa, 7000-10000 pairs in Europe, 4000 in Russia, 5000 in Israel, and 45,000 in Pakistan. The exact population in India is not known.
