Australian Pelican

1. Enormous pale pink bill, the longest of any bird

2. Bold black and white plumage with a black "V" on the back

3. Yellow skin around the eye that stops short of the bill base

These pelicans are opportunistic feeders, mainly eating fish but also taking crustaceans, small birds, and occasionally other small animals. They often hunt cooperatively, forming groups to herd fish into shallow water for easier capture. The expandable throat pouch can hold up to 13 litres of water and fish, making it an effective tool for feeding. Australian Pelicans are highly mobile and nomadic, moving long distances in response to water availability and food resources. Breeding occurs in colonies on islands or isolated shores, with timing dependent on local rainfall and water conditions. Nests are shallow scrapes on the ground, and clutches usually contain one to four eggs, which hatch after about a month.

Australian Pelicans are widespread throughout Australia, including both inland and coastal waterways. They inhabit large lakes, reservoirs, rivers, estuaries, swamps, and coastal lagoons, and are often seen at fishing ports, boat ramps, and even perched on urban structures in coastal towns. Their adaptability allows them to thrive in both freshwater and saltwater environments, and they are absent only from the driest parts of the continent.