Pelecanus conspicillatus

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Family

Pelecanidae

Genus

Pelecanus

Species

conspicullatus

Common Names

Australian Pelican, Pelican, Spectacled Pelican, Australasian Pelican

Distinguishing Features

This large, unique-looking water bird is best known for its enormous pink bill with a soft pouch underneath. They have a body height of 1.6-1.8 metres, with a wingspan of 2.3-2.5 metres. Their head, neck and underparts are white, as are the large patches on their otherwise black wings. Their tail is black with a white 'V' shape across the rump. Breeding adults have a yellow tint across their breast and their bill becomes a deeper shade of pink. They have grey webbed feet and a yellow naked skin patch around their dark eye. Young birds are light brown where the adults are white.

Survey Techniques

Call and visual identification.

Species Call

Only calls in display or if fighting, giving a deep grunting 'orrh thu-thuh' or 'uh-uhhr'.

Similar Species

The Australian Pelican is extremely distict looking, although from a distance it may be confused with the White-bellied Sea-Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster).

Distribution

This waterbird is found right across Australia where salt or fresh water is available. Some birds travel to New Guinea, New Zealand or other small islands surrounding Australia.

Country of Origin

Australia

Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - Regional

This species is uncommon around Canberra and may be declining. It is most likely to be seen at the Jerrabomberra Wetlands.

Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - National

Secure, not listed under the EPBC Act 1999.

LSCCES Population

Some birds were sighted at the NMA, in Civic West, at BMP and on the ANU Campus.

Associated vegetation community

Any watered area is suitable for the Australian Pelican, including small freshwater ponds, swamps, lagoons and sheltered coastal bays.

Limiting Resources

This species requires a large area, sheltered on which to place a breeding colony. Only areas with adundant water, food and few predators will ensure a successful breeding season.

Breeding

The breeding season generally occurs over August to November, although it will breed in response to high water levels after a large rainfall event. They breed in colonies on small islands or on the sand banks of estuaries and lakes. The nest is a scrape on the ground, lined with vegetation. The 2-3 eggs are pure white and are incubated by both parents over 32-35 days. After a few weeks the young waddle out of the nest and join together in groups of up to a hundred young, being 'babysat' by only a few adults. The young birds are able to fly at about 12 weeks.

Behaviour

This species can travel long distances with long glides and occasional slow flapping. Flocks travel in a loose 'V' shape formation. They can be seen alone, although they are social birds, flying, loafing or feeding in small groups, sometimes working as a team to round up fish. They never dive under the water, just dipping their large bills into the water to trap any fish. Pelicans are clumsy when walking on the ground and taking off to fly requires a huge amount of effort. They do not breed in the Canberra region, travelling to large inland lakes or offshore islands where they display their bills by raising it and swinging it around with the pouch rippling.

Functional Group

Carnivore

Food Species

Australian Pelicans feed on a variety of fish and other aquatic animals.

Predators

Young birds at the nest and eggs are prone to attacks from many predators, including Black Rats (Rattus Rattus), Silver Gulls (Larus novaehollandiae ), Swamp Harriers (Circus aeruginosus) and Purple Swamphens (Porphyrio porphyrio ).

Interesting Fact

Fossil remains reveal that Pelicans have lived in Australia for at least 30-40 million years. Prehistoric birds were slightly smaller with shorter legs.