Great White Pelican

Fascinating facts about the Great White Pelican

• In the scorching deserts of Africa, a single Great White Pelican can gulp down 13.5 litres of water in one go, which is roughly the same amount a human drinks in 3 weeks. This huge intake helps them swallow large fish whole, then drain the water before swallowing the prey. It's a feeding trick that's hard to match.
• Every year, around 50,000 Great White Pelicans migrate from Europe to Africa, flying over 5,000 km non-stop across the Mediterranean Sea. They fly in large flocks, taking advantage of thermals and updrafts to soar to heights of over 6,100 metres. This arduous journey is crucial for their survival.
• Great White Pelicans have an enormous wingspan of up to 3.5 metres, which is longer than a grand piano is tall. This massive wingspan allows them to soar and glide for hours, covering vast distances with minimal effort. Their wings are so big that they need to use their powerful chest muscles to flap them.
• A Great White Pelican's beak is like a built-in fishing net, with a pouch that can hold up to 13 kg of fish. When they dive-bomb into the water, their beak slices through the surface, scooping up unsuspecting fish. They then drain the water from their beak pouch before swallowing their catch, a feat that requires precise coordination.
• Great White Pelicans are devoted parents, with both males and females taking turns incubating their eggs for 38 days. They are so dedicated that they can lose up to 25% of their body weight during this time, as they fast and wait for their chicks to hatch. Their selfless parenting is a testament to the strong bond between these birds and their young.

At a glance

About the Great White Pelican

The Great White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus) is a strikingly elegant bird, characterized by its large, robust body and impressive wingspan, which can reach up to 3 meters. Its plumage is predominantly white, with a slight rosy hue during the breeding season, while its long, curved bill features a distinctive orange-yellow pouch that can hold an astonishing amount of water and fish. These pelicans are primarily found in shallow lakes, wetlands, and coastal areas across Europe, Africa, and parts of Asia, where they thrive in warm, temperate climates. Their social nature is evident in their preference for living in large colonies, often seen gliding gracefully above the water or congregating on sandy shores to bask in the sun. Their coordinated hunting technique is a marvel to behold; they often work together in groups, herding fish into tight schools before diving in unison to catch their prey, which consists mainly of fish, crustaceans, and occasionally amphibians. What sets them apart is their unique feeding method; they are known to use their pouches not just for storage but as a net to capture fish, showcasing an extraordinary adaptability in their hunting strategy that highlights their intelligence and social dynamics in the wild.

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