Australian Pelican Facts

The Australian Pelican is not the biggest by pelican standards, but it does have the longest beak of any living bird. Australian Pelican movement is dictated by the abundance of its food source and adapts easily to man-made water bodies as long as there is food available.  It is also the least fussy of all the Pelican species and will happily feast on insects, shrimps, the common jabby and even smaller ducks, gulls and cormorants where its cousins prefer fish.

Breeding

The Australian Pelican breeds in communal areas making a shallow depression in the sand sometimes lined with grass.  They lay 2 to 3 eggs and the babies hatch with no feathers but soon grow some to protect them from the environment.  The babies become fully independent after 3 months and start their own families after 2 to 3 years.

The Australian Pelican still has healthy numbers and is not considered endangered even though they are a protected species.

Taking Photos

Because the Australian Pelican is a scavenger you will often find them swimming close to fishermen. Find a spot close to where people are fishing and throw back their small catch.  If you are lucky you will get good close-up shots of the pelican.

The Birdlife Australia website has useful references to the Australian Pelican