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Pink-backed Pelican - Pelecanus rufescens

Pélican gris

Pink-backed Pelican adult
The Pink-backed Pelican (Pelecanus rufescens) is a member of the pelican family of birds. It is a resident breeder in Africa, southern Arabia and Madagascar in swamps and shallow lakes. The nest is a large heap of sticks, into which 2-3 large white eggs are laid. The chicks feed by plunging their heads deep into the adult's pouch and taking the partially digested regurgitated fish.

This is a small pelican, but the wingspan is still around 2.4m. It is much smaller and duller than the Great White Pelican. The plumage is grey and white, with a pink back. The top of the bill is yellow and the pouch is usually greyish. Breeding adults have long feather plumes on the head.

Food is usually fish and amphibians and is usually obtained by fishing in groups.
Reproduction prohibited without prior permission. © Gerhard Theron

The species

Classification

Order : Pélécaniformes
Family : Pelecanidae
Species : Pink-backed Pelican


Species photos

all photos

The photo

O.Net reference : geth25522
Author :
Plumage : adult

Photo details

Date : 2006 Sep.
Country : South Africa (sf)
Region : KwaZulu-Natal
Location : Mkuze Game Reserve Mkuze Game Reserve
Lat. : 27° 37' 59'' South
Lng. : 32° 15' 0'' East

Exif data [+][-]

Model : Canon EOS 20D
Speed : 1/3200 s
Aperture : 4
Focal length : 500 mm
Iso : 200
Flash : no