PORT PHILLIP BAY


Australian Pelican 

Pelecanus conspicillatus

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

See below for information.

Taxonomy

Phylum:
Chordata
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Class:
Aves
Order:
Pelecaniformes
Family:
Pelecanidae
Genus:
Pelecanus
Species:
conspicillatus

General Description

Body white with black pattern on wings. Bill very long, pink, and with large deflated pouch on lower bill. Body up to 1.8 m long.

Biology

Australia's only species of pelican. They occasionally form small flocks and help one another to feed by surrounding fish and herding them together.

Habitat

Coastal bays and inlets, and inland freshwater wetlands.

Coastal shores

Distribution guide

Isolated populations across Australia, except Tasmania.

Species Group

Birds Pelicans

Max Size

1.8 m

Diet

Carnivore

Commercial Species

Yes

Global Dispersal

Native to Australia

Conservation Status

  • DSE Advisory List : Not listed
  • EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
  • IUCN Red List : Least Concern

Author

article author Longmore, N. W.

Wayne Longmore is a Senior Collection manager of terrestrial vertebrates at Museum Victoria.

Author

article author O'Brien, R.

Rory O'Brien is a Collection Manager of terrestrial vertebrates at Museum Victoria.

citation

Cite this page as:
Longmore, N. W. & O'Brien, R., 2011, Australian Pelican, Pelecanus conspicillatus, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 10 Dec 2024, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/7975

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