Pink-backed Pelican - Pelecanus rufescens

Pélican gris

Pink-backed Pelicanadult — 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.

Copy forbidden without prior authorization. © Gerhard Theron

adult
Pelícano rosado
pelicano-cinzento
Rötelpelikan
Pelecanus rufescens
Pelecaniformes

The species

Classification

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

Geographic range by countries

specie's pictures

all the pictures

The picture

O.Net ref. : geth25522
Author : G. Theron
Plumage : adult

Shooting

date : 2006 Sep
Country : South Africa (sf)
Region : KwaZulu-Natal
Place : Mkuze Game Reserve
Lat. : 27° 37' 17'' South
Lng. : 32° 15' 0'' East

Exif Data [+] [-]

Model : Canon EOS 20D
Exposure : 1/3200 s

aperture : 4

Focal length : 500 mm

Iso : 200

Flash : no