Spot-billed Pelican

The Spot-billed Pelican, also called the Grey Pelican, is a medium-to-large pelican found across South and Southeast Asia, named for the distinctive dark spotting pattern on its bill and pouch.

Appearance

Adults are grayish-white overall, with a shaggy crest on the nape, and a pale bill marked with bluish-purple to grayish spots, especially visible on the pouch during the breeding season. The legs are pale pinkish-gray.

Key field marks

• Bluish-purple or grayish spots on the bill and pouch, most visible in breeding season
• Grayish-white plumage, duller than Great White Pelican
• Shaggy crest on the nape
• Found in freshwater wetlands across South and Southeast Asia

Similar species

Great White Pelican is brighter white with bare pink facial skin and lacks bill spotting. Pink-backed Pelican, found in Africa rather than Asia, lacks the distinct bill spots. Within its Asian range, the spotted bill pattern is the most reliable field mark for this species.

Habitat and range

Spot-billed Pelicans inhabit freshwater lakes, marshes, large rivers, and reservoirs across the Indian subcontinent and parts of Southeast Asia, generally avoiding coastal marine habitats in favor of inland wetlands.

Migration

The species is largely resident, though local and seasonal movements occur in response to water availability and food supply. Historic declines from habitat loss, disturbance of nesting colonies, and hunting have reduced its range significantly, though it remains locally common at a number of protected wetlands.

Behavior

Spot-billed Pelicans forage for fish in shallow freshwater habitats, usually individually or in small loose groups rather than large coordinated formations, often foraging in the early morning and evening.

Voice

Adults are typically silent outside the breeding colony, with low grunts given during nest-site interactions.

Nesting and breeding

They nest colonially in trees near water, often alongside herons, storks, and cormorants, building a stick platform nest. Typically two to four eggs are laid, and colonies can be sensitive to disturbance from human activity near nesting trees.