Australian Pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus
Australian Pelican, The Coorong, SA, Australia, March 2006 - click for larger image Australia

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.

Australian Pelican, The Coorong, SA, Australia, March 2006 - click for larger image 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 occasionally though their diet consists mainly of fish. They often feed cooperatively forming large flocks to do so.
Australian Pelican, The Coorong, SA, Australia, March 2006 - click for larger image 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.

Australian Pelican, The Coorong, SA, Australia, March 2006 - click for larger image
Australian Pelican, Kangaroo Island, SA, Australia, March 2006 - click for larger image
Australian Pelican, St. Helens, Tasmania, Australia, February 2006 - click for larger image
Australian Pelican, Cairns, Queensland, Australia, November 2010 - click for larger image
Australian Pelican, Noorlunga, South Australia, September 2013 - click for larger image
Australian Pelican, Kakadu, Northern Territory, Australia, October 2013 - click for larger image
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