Peruvian Pelican vs Pink-backed Pelican

Peruvian Pelican

Pelecanus thagus

Huge3.4 kgMarine

These birds are dark in colour with a white stripe from the top of the bill up to the crown and down the sides of the neck. They have long tufted feathers on the top of their heads. It was previously considered a subspecies of the brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis). The Peruvian pelican is considerably larger, ranging from about 5 to 7 kg (11–15 lb) in weight, 137 to 152 cm (4.5–5.0 ft) in length and with a wingspan of about 228 cm (7.5 ft).

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: nebrooks · CC BY 4.0

Pink-backed Pelican

Pelecanus rufescens

Huge5.4 kgWetland

It is a relatively small pelican, although by no means is it a small bird. Its length is from 125 to 155 cm (49 to 61 in), wingspan is 2.15–2.9 m (7.1–9.5 ft) and body mass is from 4 to 7 kg (8.8 to 15.4 lb). The bill is 30 to 38 cm (12 to 15 in) in length. The plumage is grey and white, with a pinkish hue on the back occasionally apparent (never in the deep pink of a flamingo). The top of the bill is yellow and the pouch is usually greyish. Breeding adults have long feather plumes on the head.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: (c) Manuel Schwarz, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC BY 4.0

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Peruvian Pelican and Pink-backed Pelican.