Great White Pelican: The Skilled Fishermen

🔬 Taxonomic Classification

⭕ Order
Pelecaniformes

🧆 Family
Pelecanidae

📚 Subfamily
Pelecaninae

🪶 Genus
Pelecanus

The Great White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus), also known as the eastern white pelican, rosy pelican, or white pelican, is a truly captivating bird species, celebrated for its one-of-a-kind appearance and engaging behavior. This wondrous bird, deemed one of the largest flying birds globally, captures our imagination due to its charm and elegance. In this article, we will delve into the characteristics of the Great White Pelican, such as its appearance, natural habitat, diet, and sightings in Nepal:

Characteristics of the Great White Pelican

This majestic bird can measure between 140 and 180 centimeters in length and can weigh anywhere from 9 to 15 kilograms. Among its most notable features are its extended bill and huge throat pouch with a capacity of up to 13 liters! The pouch serves as a fishing net to catch fish near the water's surface. The species also boasts an impressive wingspan ranging between 226 and 360 centimeters. Adult Great White Pelicans exhibit predominantly white plumage with rosy shades on their faces and wings while their legs and feet display an orange-pink hue.

Natural Habitat of the Great White Pelican

The Great White Pelican's habitat stretches across vast areas in southeastern Europe, Asia, and Africa. They are incredibly adaptable birds that inhabit various wetland ecosystems like lakes, swamps, deltas, lagoons, and estuaries where abundant fish populations reside. Despite favoring large shallow freshwater or saline water sources, they can also be found in coastal marine environments.

Dietary Preferences of the Great White Pelican

The Great White Pelican's diet primarily revolves around fish such as tilapia, carp, mullet, cichlids, and catfish. These birds often catch their prey by joining forces with others to herd fish toward shallow waters for easier scooping using their pouches. During the breeding season, these ravenous creatures may consume around 1.2 kg of fish daily to satisfy their energy needs.

Sightings of the Great White Pelican in Nepal

While the Great White Pelican is not a native bird of Nepal, it has occasionally been spotted in the country's wetlands, attracting bird enthusiasts. Sightings have taken place at popular birdwatching locations like Chitwan National Park and Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve. These observations suggest that this species is broadening its distribution range due to factors such as climate change or other environmental influences.

In conclusion, the Great White Pelican remains an iconic and enthralling bird species found in regions of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Its unique physical features, ability to adapt to various habitats, and dietary practices make it an extraordinary and awe-inspiring creature. We must prioritize preserving their natural habitats to ensure that generations to come can appreciate their grace and beauty.