What kind of bird is a pelican? We will explain its characteristics, ecology, and habitat. It is known as a very distinctive animal with a throat pouch that all pelicans have. Since it can be seen on all continents around the world, everyone knows it.
What is a Pelican? Basic Stats
Pelicans are birds that belong to the Pelecaniformes. Their English name is Pelican, and their scientific name is Pelecanus. They have a body of 2m, a wingspan of about 3m, and a weight of 13kg. The list of information is as follows. Pelicans are registered as products of various companies, such as Pelican Mail, Pelican Documents, fountain pens, ballpoint pens, and cases, and are often displayed on internet pages.
| Japanese（和名） | ペリカン |
| English（英名） | Pelican |
| scientific name(学名) | Pelecanus |
| classification（分類） | Aves、 Pelecaniformes、 Pelecanidae、Pelecanus 鳥綱、ペリカン目、ペリカン科、ペリカン属 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | LEAST CONCERN |
| Length（体長） | 200cm |
| Weight（体重） | 13 kg |
About classification
The following is a quote from Wikipedia: The following variants have been identified around the world:
Pelecanus conspicillatus コシグロペリカン Australian pelican
Pelecanus crispus ハイイロペリカン Dalmatian Pelican
Pelecanus erythrorhynchos シロペリカン American white pelican
Pelecanus occidentalis カッショクペリカン Brown pelican
Pelecanus onocrotalus モモイロペリカン Great white pelican
Pelecanus philippensis ホシバシペリカン Spot-billed pelican
Pelecanus rufescens コシベニペリカン Pink-backed pelican
Pelecanus thagus ペルーペリカン Peruvian Pelican
Pelican Taxonomy
- 界（Kingdom）：動物界 (Animalia)
- 門（Phylum）：脊索動物門 (Chordata)
- 綱（Class）：鳥綱 (Aves)
- 目（Order）：ペリカン目 (Pelecaniformes)
- 以前はコウノトリ目に分類されることもありましたが、現在はペリカン目で独立
- 科（Family）：ペリカン科 (Pelecanidae)
- 属（Genus）：ペリカン属 (Pelecanus)
- 種（Species）：世界には 8種ほど が知られています
- 例：
- アメリカコビトペリカン (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)
- オオペリカン (Pelecanus onocrotalus)
- オーストラリアペリカン (Pelecanus conspicillatus)
- 例：
Habitat
Pelicans are found on all continents around the world, including Africa, Asia, America, South America and Oceania.
- General Habitat
Mainly lives in freshwater and brackish waters
Lakes, estuaries, wetlands, and coasts
As a large bird, it prefers large bodies of water where it can catch fish
Breeding and nesting in large trees, rocky areas, and islands
- Typical Habitats
Great Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus)
Eastern Europe, northern Africa, and India
Lakes, marshes, and estuaries
American Dwarf Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)
North America (Canada to central USA)
Lakes, rivers, and freshwater wetlands
Australian Pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus)
Throughout Australia
Lakes, estuaries, and tidal flats
Brazilian Pelican (Pelecanus thagus)
Coastlines of South America
Fishing along coasts and estuaries
- Habitat Characteristics
Selects areas with abundant fish.
Fishing efficiently in shallow waters and areas with clear water views.
Nests in safe locations during the breeding season (such as islands or isolated shorelines).
- Habitat Change and Conservation
Due to habitat reclamation, water pollution, and overfishing, populations have declined in some areas.
Survival is particularly difficult when wetlands and lakes dry up.
It is important for them to live in protected areas and national parks.
What are its characteristics? What kind of creature is it?
Pelicans are famous for their throat pouches, which are quite elastic. They are known for using these elastic pouches to catch fish, and that is why they have them. Their beaks are large and long, with skin that stretches like a pouch from their lower beak to their throat. They maintain their balance by shifting the position of their head back and forth. Their habitats are coastal areas, lakes, and other places where there are fish.
Pelican Characteristics
- Body Size
Body Length: Approximately 1.5-1.8m (depending on species)
Wingspan: Approximately 2.3-3.5m
Weight: 4-15kg (Australian pelicans are particularly large)
- Body Structure
Beak: Very long, with a large throat pouch on the lower beak (used for catching fish in groups)
Feathers: Most species are white, with black and gray feathers mixed in on the back and wings
Feet: Webbed, good swimmers
Eyes: Sharp, excellent for spotting fish on the surface
- Behavior/Ecology
Piscivory: Eats mainly fish
They scoop up fish using their throat pouches and can catch several at a time.
Swimming/Diving: They catch fish while swimming on the surface, but rarely dive deep.
Flight: Their large wings allow them to glide long distances.
Society: They travel in large schools during breeding and fishing seasons.
Breeding/Nesting: They nest in groups in trees, on rocky shores, or on isolated islands.
- Calls/Personality
Their calls are not very loud, with a low, muffled voice.
They have a gentle and timid personality.
They are wary of humans, but feel safe in groups.
What is their ecology?
Pelicans mainly eat fish, but they also eat crustaceans. They breed oviparously. After deciding on a place to build a nest, the male courts the female. The incubation period is about one month, and the female lays multiple eggs. However, the chicks that are born grow up in a harsh environment, with most of them dying within one year of birth. Their lifespan is 15-25 years.
Pelican Biology
- Living Environment
Mainly inhabits freshwater, brackish water, and coastal waters
Uses lakes, estuaries, marshes, tidal flats, and shallow coastal waters
Nests in groups on safe islands or shorelines
- Activity Patterns
Diurnal, fishing during the day
Swims on the surface of the water or drives fish in schools
Rests quietly in nests or resting areas
- Diet
Primarily piscivorous
Catches small to medium-sized fish in groups
Can scoop fish with their throat pouches, capturing several at a time
Some species also eat shrimp, crabs, and occasionally small birds
- Reproduction and Rearing
Nests in groups
Safe locations such as rocks, trees, and isolated islands
Number of eggs: Approximately 1-3
Parents take turns incubating
Baby develops in the nest and begins learning to catch food on their own within a few weeks
Chicks learn to fly and become independent at about 2-3 months
- Sociality
School life is the norm
They eat, rest, and breed mostly in groups.
They can form large flocks of dozens to hundreds of birds outside of the breeding season.
Schooling allows them to catch fish efficiently and protects them from predators.
- Migration
Some species migrate seasonally.
They move south during the cold season and live in warmer areas.
They migrate in search of areas with abundant food resources.
Do they have any natural enemies?
Pelicans’ natural enemies include tiger sharks, killer whales, and coyotes.
About Pelican Chicks
This article provides a detailed overview of pelican chicks, including their developmental stages, characteristics, and behavior.
Characteristics of Pelican Chicks
- Birth
Body Length: Approximately 25-35cm (depending on species)
Weight: Approximately 300-500g
Feathers are still mostly downy and only have a downy coat.
Eyes are born closed.
- Growth and Development
Eye Opening: Approximately 1-2 weeks after birth
Feather Development: Initially, they have a gray or brown downy coat. At 1 month of age, body feathers begin to grow.
Flight Training: At 2-3 months of age, they begin practicing wing movements.
Weaning: At approximately 1-2 months of age, they begin eating fish caught by their parents.
- Behavior and Personality
Immediately after birth, they remain in the burrow or nest, protected by their parents.
As they grow, they practice swimming near their parents and receive food in their throat pouches.
They learn hunting and flight skills through playful interactions with their siblings.
- Parent-Child Relationship
Both parents take turns incubating and feeding the eggs.
Chick survival rates depend heavily on the abundance of food and the safety of the nest.
During their development, parents teach them how to fly and catch food.
- Independence
They learn to fly at about 2-3 months and begin full-scale fishing practice.
They leave the nest at 3-4 months and become independent.
Are pelicans endangered?
Pelicans are classified as a species of least concern, and are not endangered. They are kept in zoos and events are held, so please check the guide and participate.
Pelican Threat Status (Major Species)
Species Scientific Name IUCN Status Comments
Great Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus) Least Concern (LC) Widely distributed in Europe, Africa, etc., with stable populations.
American Dwarf Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) Least Concern (LC) Relatively stable in North America, with ongoing conservation efforts.
Australian Pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus) Least Endangered (LC) Widely distributed and with stable populations.
Sky-billed Pelican (Pelecanus crispus) Endangered (EN) Population declines in parts of Asia and Europe, primarily due to wetland destruction.
Brazilian Pelican (Pelecanus thagus) Least Endangered (LC) Distributed along the coast of South America, with stable populations at present.
Conservation Background
Endangered species are at risk due to habitat loss, water pollution, overfishing, etc.
Protection of nesting colonies and wetland conservation is important.
For migratory species, protection of wintering grounds is also essential.
Can you keep pelicans as pets?
Some types of pelicans are rare animals and commercial trade is restricted by the Washington Convention.
How much do they cost?
They can be purchased at pet shops for 300,000 to 1 million yen or more, but the number is very limited and it is not easy to obtain them.
Facilities are required to keep them
Facilities are required to keep them, and this is where most ordinary people give up. In order to keep pelicans, a large area of land with water to catch fish is required. Large fish of about 300g to 600g are mainly needed, and these also need to be collected.
It is difficult to keep multiple pelicans
Pelicans can eat birds and small mammals smaller than themselves. Therefore, it is difficult to keep multiple pelicans, and it is quite difficult. They are also dangerous birds because they sometimes try to eat animals such as dogs and cats and even human children.
コメント