Pelecanus rufescens Gmelin, 1789

Species Identity

Pelecanus rufescens (pink-backed pelican) is a relatively small pelican species, but it is still not a small bird by general bird standards.

Body Size Measurements

It measures 125 to 155 cm (49 to 61 in) in length, has a wingspan of 2.15–2.9 m (7.1–9.5 ft), and weighs 4 to 7 kg (8.8 to 15.4 lb).

Bill Length

Its bill is 30 to 38 cm (12 to 15 in) long.

Plumage Coloration

The plumage is grey and white, with an occasional pinkish hue on the back that is never as deep as the pink of a flamingo.

Soft Part Coloration

The top of the bill is yellow, and the pouch is usually greyish.

Breeding Adult Plumage

Breeding adults grow long feather plumes on their heads.

Sympatric Species Comparison

This species shares its habitat with the great white pelican, which is generally larger and has all-white plumage instead of the pink-backed pelican's greyish plumage.

General Habitat Preference

The pink-backed pelican lives in a range of aquatic habitats, and prefers quiet backwaters with shallow water.

Avoided Habitat Features

It avoids steep, vegetated lake banks.

Freshwater Habitat Use

It favors freshwater lakes, swamps, large slow-flowing rivers, and seasonal pools, but also regularly uses reservoirs, seasonally flooded land, and flood-plains near river mouths.

Saline & Coastal Habitat Use

It can live on alkaline and saline lakes and lagoons, and is sometimes found along the coast in bays and estuaries, though it seldom occurs on open seashore.

Roosting Site Selection

This species typically roosts and breeds in trees such as mangroves, but will also roost on sandy islands, cliffs, coral reefs, and sand-dunes.

Tree Nesting Grouping

When nesting in trees, many nests are built close together.

Nest Reuse Pattern

These nests are reused every year until the trees collapse, and the birds normally remain in the local area after this.

Nesting Site Options

The pink-backed pelican nests colonially in trees, reeds, or low bushes along waterfronts; less often, it nests on the ground on sandy islands and in mangroves.

Nest Structure & Height

Its nest is a large heap of sticks, and may be 10–50 m (33–164 ft) above the ground.

Clutch Characteristics

The female lays two to three large white eggs.

Chick Feeding Behavior

After hatching, chicks feed by plunging their heads deep into the adult's pouch to eat partially digested, regurgitated fish.