Great White Pelican
The Great White Pelican is a massive and elegant bird native to Eurasia and Africa. It is known for its beautiful white plumage and its enormous, expandable bill pouch.
The Great White Pelican fishes in a cooperative manner. They form a line on the water and work together to herd fish into a shallow area, where they can easily scoop them up in their pouches.
Great White Pelican
Classification
Aves > Pelecaniformes > Pelecanidae > Pelecanus > P. onocrotalus
Native To
Conservation Status
Average Height
4 - 6 feet
(1.2 - 1.8 m)
Average Weight
20 - 30 lbs
(9 - 14 kg)
Average Life Span
10 - 25 years
Gestation Period
30 - 36 days
Did You Know?
The Great White Pelican is one of the largest flying birds, with a wingspan that can reach up to 12 feet!
They have a huge throat pouch that can hold up to 3 gallons of water and fish.
Great White Pelicans often fish together in groups, using their large wings to herd fish into shallow water.
They are found in warm climates across Africa, Asia, and southeastern Europe, often near large bodies of freshwater.
Despite their large size, Great White Pelicans are graceful flyers and can soar to great heights.
Their diet consists almost entirely of fish, which they catch by scooping them up with their enormous pouches.
Great White Pelicans build their nests on the ground, often in large colonies, and can lay 2-4 eggs at a time.
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