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Class: Aves
Order: Pelecaniformes
Family: Pelecanidae
Species:Pelecanus onocrotalus
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Distribution:
It is found in Eastern Europe, Western Mongolia in summer. It migrates in winter to North and East Africa and Iraq east to India. |
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Habitat:
In Europe, the habitat includes freshwater lakes, deltas, marshes, or swamps; that is, wherever sufficient amounts grasses exist for nesting. In Africa, the habitat includes lowlands and alkaline or freshwater lakes. This pelican's fishing technique demands shallow, warm water.
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Description:
This is a large pelican, at a mass of 10 kg, 160 cm long and with a 280 cm wingspan, with pure white, rather than grayish-white, plumage, a bare pink facial patch around the eye and pinkish legs. Males are larger than females, and have a long beak that grows in a downwards arc, as opposed to the shorter, straighter beak of the female. Immature birds are grey and have dark flight feathers.
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Lifespan:
They live up to 30 years.
Diet:
They primarily eat fish.500 to 900g
Behavior:
Highly social, these birds habitually fish in groups, with 2-40 birds swimming in horseshoe formation and submerging their heads and necks at the same moment. They rest on shore in large groups and soar on thermal currents in flocks.
Reproduction:
Breeding occurs in spring in temperate zones of Europe; all year round in Africa. This pelican breeds as it lives, in a large colony near water. Pair formation, nest site selection, and nest building occurs rapidly (few hours up to no more than a week). The nest is built on the ground and consists of either a pile of sticks or little more than bare rock. This pelican lays two eggs; incubation of 29-36 days; fledgling at 65-75 days. Sexual maturity is at 3-4 years.
Conservation Status:
IUCN Red List: Least Concern.
References:
http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/144760/0
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelecanus_onocrotalus
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