Pink-backed Pelican
Pelecanus rufescens
| Size: | Up to 155 cms long, wingspan up to 290 cm |
| Habitat: | Lakes, lagoons, marshes |
| Feeding: | Fish and amphibians |
The Pink-backed Pelican is smaller than the Great White Pelican, but still large with an impressive wingspan.
Like the Great White it has a large body, short legs and webbed feet. Its most distinguishing feature is the long bill with a large pouch which is used as a scoop to collect fish and water. The bill is yellow at the top and the pouch is grey.
The plummage is usually grey and it has a crest on its head, although it is not very obvious in the photo on the left.
This photo was taken in the Selous National Park, Tanzania.
Click on any of the photographs on this site to see a larger image.
