Skip to main content
Close

Australian Pelican

Pelecanus conspicillatus

Photo by Neil Ross
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

-27.5006, 153.016

Field Notes

Description:

The Australian Pelican is a large waterbird of the family Pelecanidae. It is a predominantly white bird with black wings and a pink bill. It has been recorded as having the longest bill of any living bird. It mainly eats fish, but will also consume birds and scavenges for scraps. I've actually seen one eat a turtle, and have heard of two cases where small dogs have been taken at beach locations. True!

Habitat:

Australian Pelicans occur primarily in large expanses of open water without dense aquatic vegetation. The habitats that can support them include large lakes, reservoirs, billabongs and rivers, as well as estuaries, swamps, temporarily flooded areas in arid zones, drainage channels in farmland, saltplans and coastal lagoons.

Notes:

This Pelican was spotted at the lake on the University of Queensland Campus. It's a fantastic spot for waterbirds of all varieties, and is just across the river from my home. Worth another visit. In fact, many more visits. http://www.uq.edu.au/sustainability/uq-sustainability-walk

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (0)

Be the first to comment

Sign in to comment

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Image
Butterflies icon

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon