Australian Pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus) lives in coastal wetlands across Australia and New Guinea. It feeds on fish and crustaceans. Its conservation status is Least Concern.
Fascinating facts about the Australian Pelican
- The Australian pelican possesses the longest bill of any living bird, a feature that gives it a unmistakable silhouette against the sky. A record specimen measured 50 cm, while females can have bills as short as 34.6 cm when fully grown. This enormous beak adds considerably to the bird's overall length, which ranges from 152 cm to 188 cm, putting it in the same size class as the Dalmatian pelican.
- Australian pelicans typically weigh around 5.5 kg, a mass that places them as the second-heaviest flying bird in the continent after the brolga. Their weight can vary widely, from as light as 4 kg up to 13 kg, though most individuals fall between 4.54 kg and 7.7 kg. This substantial body mass, combined with a wingspan of up to 2.6 m, enables them to travel long distances in search of food while still maintaining strong, sustained flight.
- When food is abundant, Australian pelicans can gather in massive feeding flocks, with some lakes supporting up to 1,900 birds at once. In these groups they coordinate their movements, driving schools of fish into shallower water before plunging and using their sensitive bills to capture the prey. Although they often feed cooperatively, individuals will also hunt alone, especially when solitary opportunities arise.
- During the 1990 Lake Eyre flood, more than 200,000 adult pelicans gathered to breed. They move opportunistically, tracking the availability of water and food, which explains the sudden surge during the flood.
Sources
Every fact above was checked against these pages, and kept only where one of them states it.
At a glance
RangeAustralia and New Guinea
HabitatCoastal wetlands
DietFish and crustaceans
About the Australian Pelican
As the Australian Pelican glides effortlessly across the sun-kissed waters, its majestic silhouette is a testament to its remarkable adaptability, with a wingspan of up to 2.5 meters allowing it to soar with a slow, deliberate beat. With its distinctive pouched bill, this charismatic bird swoops and dives with precision, its feathers a dazzling white with a subtle sheen that hints at a life spent navigating the harsh yet beautiful landscapes of the Australian coast. In its stately wade through the shallows, the pelican embodies a serene and ancient wisdom, as if it has witnessed the passage of centuries unfold beneath its watchful gaze.
Hear the Australian Pelican, and 4,400+ more
Real recorded sounds, 11 nature games and a free Daily 5, 1v1 quiz duels, conservation wins and a safe Kids mode. Free on Feravox.
