Great White Pelican

The Great White Pelican is one of the largest waterbirds in the Old World, an imposing white pelican of African and Eurasian wetlands, known for its huge size and its habit of fishing in coordinated groups. Its wingspan rivals or exceeds that of any other flying bird.

Appearance

Adults are predominantly white, often with a pink flush during the breeding season, with black flight feathers visible in flight, bare pink facial skin, and a large yellow-orange bill and pouch. Legs are pinkish.

Key field marks

• Very large size and enormous wingspan
• White plumage with a pink breeding flush, and black flight feathers seen in flight
• Pink bare facial skin
• Large yellow-orange bill and pouch
• Often seen fishing in coordinated groups

Similar species

Within its Old World range it can resemble the Dalmatian Pelican, but the Great White Pelican has pink (not grey) legs, brighter yellow-orange bill coloration, and lacks the shaggy curled nape feathers of the Dalmatian Pelican.

Habitat and range

Great White Pelicans breed on large freshwater and brackish lakes, deltas, and wetlands across sub-Saharan Africa, and in scattered locations through southeastern Europe and Central and South Asia. Populations in temperate regions are migratory, wintering in Africa and South Asia, while African populations are largely resident or locally nomadic.

Colonies are often located on isolated islands within large lake systems, providing protection from ground predators.

Behavior

Great White Pelicans are famous for cooperative fishing, forming lines or semicircles that herd fish into shallow water where the birds can scoop them up simultaneously with their large pouches. This coordinated behavior increases foraging efficiency compared to fishing alone.

Voice

Adults are largely silent apart from low grunts and croaks near the colony; chicks give higher-pitched begging calls.

Nesting and breeding

They nest colonially, often in mixed colonies with other waterbirds, building a simple mound nest of vegetation on the ground or low platforms. Typically two eggs are laid, and colonies can be extremely large where suitable island habitat exists.