Australian pelican: where and when to see them

The Australian pelican is a huge black-and-white waterbird with a remarkably long bill and expandable throat pouch. It is familiar around many Australian coasts, estuaries and inland lakes, yet its movements can be highly responsive to rainfall. Large breeding concentrations may develop far inland after flooding creates abundant food. Coastal birds are therefore part of a mobile population rather than necessarily belonging to a permanent local breeding colony.

Size

1.6–1.9 m long

Weight

4–7 kg

Lifespan

Not reliably established

Status

Least Concern

Pelicans spend substantial time resting on sandbars, shorelines and other open sites, then travel between feeding areas using powerful flight and thermal soaring. Groups sometimes cooperate to herd fish into shallow water before scooping them up. Breeding is colonial, with nests placed on the ground in relatively secure locations. Inland flood events can draw birds across great distances, while coastal numbers change as individuals respond to food, water levels and breeding opportunities. Courtship displays involve the male flying in wide circles around the female, sometimes with groups performing synchronized aerial maneuvers. They communicate using a range of deep grunts and soft claps of their bills, especially within a colony.

• Its bill is among the longest of any living bird.
• The throat pouch is a fishing tool, not a permanent food-storage bag.
• Groups can cooperate to concentrate fish in shallow water.
• Major inland floods can trigger breeding far from the coast.

Coastal observation is possible throughout the year in much of Australia. There is no single national breeding or viewing season because rainfall and inland flooding redistribute birds. Choose comfortable local weather and check recent wetland conditions rather than assuming summer always brings larger gatherings. In arid regions, large congregations are strongly linked to inland flooding and subsequent population booms of fish and crustaceans. During prolonged droughts, pelicans may concentrate in permanent coastal estuaries or large inland reservoirs.

This species uses estuaries, coastal lagoons, sheltered bays, rivers, reservoirs and inland floodwaters. It needs productive feeding areas and undisturbed places to rest or nest. Open sandbars and low islands are useful, but feeding birds may also appear around harbours and urban waterfronts. They are highly nomadic and often travel extensively to exploit ephemeral wetlands after rainfall. While adaptable, they prefer freshwater environments over saline coastal habitats when available for breeding and sustained foraging.

Fish form the bulk of the diet, captured with the bill and pouch before excess water drains away. Crustaceans and other aquatic animals are also eaten. Pelicans occasionally take birds or scavenge, but feeding them scraps can cause injury, poor nutrition and dangerous dependence. The pelican's large gular pouch is primarily used as a scoop to trap fish, not for storage. They are opportunistic predators, and their diet can include frogs, turtles, and even small ducklings when other food sources are scarce.

Common name

Australian pelican

Scientific name

Pelecanus conspicillatus

Animal group

Birds

Size

1.6–1.9 m long

Weight

4–7 kg

Lifespan

Not reliably established

Status

Least Concern

Identification

The combination of black wings, white body, enormous pale bill and bare yellow eye-ring distinguishes it from the predominantly pale-winged great white pelican. Juvenile pelicans exhibit a duller plumage, often with a brownish tinge to their black wing feathers, before developing the stark adult contrast. The pale bill can display a pinkish hue, especially during the breeding season.