Australian Pelican

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

The Australian pelican is a large waterbird in the family Pelecanidae, widespread on the inland and coastal waters of Australia and New Guinea, also in Fiji, parts of Indonesia and as a vagrant in New Zealand. 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 scavenge for scraps if the opportunity arises.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

1. 01

   Enormous pale pink bill and pouch

2. 02

   Predominantly white with black flight feathers

   Sharp contrast between white body plumage and broad black primaries, forming a distinct white 'V' pattern on rump, especially evident in flight.

3. 03

   Conspicuous dark skin around eye

   A patch of dark, featherless skin surrounds the eye, creating a 'spectacled' appearance against the white head.