Australian Pelican

The Australian Pelican is a distinctive black-and-white waterbird found throughout Australia and parts of New Guinea, notable for possessing the longest bill of any bird species. It is a highly nomadic bird, capable of covering vast distances in search of suitable wetland conditions.

Appearance

Adults have predominantly white body plumage with black wings and tail, and an enormous pale pink bill and pouch that can appear almost luminous, especially during courtship displays when the colors intensify.

Key field marks

• Enormous pale pink bill, the longest of any bird species
• White body plumage contrasting with black wings and tail
• Large size and heavy build
• Soaring flight on broad black-and-white wings

Similar species

The Australian Pelican is unmistakable within its range, being the only pelican species found in Australia; its black-and-white pattern and huge pink bill separate it from any other large waterbird there.

Habitat and range

Australian Pelicans occur throughout Australia and parts of New Guinea and nearby islands, inhabiting a wide range of wetlands including coastal bays, estuaries, rivers, and inland lakes, including temporary lakes that fill after heavy rain.

The species is highly nomadic rather than strictly migratory, moving opportunistically over huge distances to exploit flooded inland areas when conditions are favorable, sometimes appearing suddenly at remote desert lakes after rain.

Behavior

Australian Pelicans forage mainly by swimming and scooping fish and crustaceans into their large pouches, sometimes cooperating in groups to herd fish, similar to other large pelican species.

Voice

Adults are mostly silent, though low grunting sounds may be given near breeding colonies; chicks produce begging calls.

Nesting and breeding

Breeding is closely tied to water availability, with large colonies sometimes forming rapidly on islands in flooded inland lakes following major rainfall events. Two eggs are typically laid in a simple ground scrape, and successful breeding can be irregular, occurring in boom years when inland wetlands fill.