Pelecanidae Archives - NatureWorks

Pelecanidae - Pelicans

There are eight species of large water birds in this family. Pelicans are found on lakes and in coastal regions around the world. They live and travel in groups.

Pelicans are easily identified by their long bills and gular pouches. A pelican uses its bill and pouch like a net. It dives into the water, scoops up fish and water, strains out the water from the sides of its bill, tips back its head, and swallows the fish it caught.

A pelican doesn’t carry fish in its pouch; it only uses its pouch to scoop up fish.

Australian Pelican
(Pelecanus conspicillatus)

The Australian pelican is found in The Australian pelican is found in Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste. It has the longest bill of any bird species. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
Dalmatian Pelican
(Pelecanus crispus)

The Dalmatian pelican breeds from southeastern Europe to India and China. It is the largest pelican species. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
American White Pelican
(Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)

The American white pelican breeds in isolated areas from Manitoba, Canada and Minnesota west to northern California. It winters in California, Mexico, Central America, along the Gulf Coast, and in Florida. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
Brown Pelican
(Pelecanus occidentalis)

The brown pelican breeds along the Pacific Coast from California to Chile and along the Atlantic Coast from South Carolina through the Caribbean to Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
Great White Pelican
(Pelecanus onocrotalus)

The great white pelican is found from southeastern Europe through Asia and Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
Spot-Billed Pelican
(Pelecanus philippensis)

The spot-billed pelican is found in Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
Pink-Backed Pelican
(Pelecanus rufescens)

The pink-backed pelican is found in Africa and the Middle East. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
Peruvian Pelican
(Pelecanus thagus)

The Peruvian pelican is found in Peru and Chile. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened