| Australian Pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus |
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Australia February / March 2006 The Australian Pelican is distributed throughout Australia and also reaches New Guinea. It is found on large stretches of open water, both fresh and salt, with little vegetation. |
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This is a large bird with a wingspan of about 2.5 metres. Photo 2 shows its size relative to Silver Gull Larus novaehollandiae. Incidentally, Australian Pelicans are known to eat Silver Gulls occassionally though their diet consists mainly of fish. They often feed cooperatively forming large flocks to do so. | |||
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Its scientific name means spectacled and refers to the large yellow eye-ring. The 4th photo shows a Pelican exercising its gular pouch to help it maintain its good condition. |
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