Pink-backed Pelican
Pelecanus rufescens
The Pink-backed Pelican (Pelecanus rufescens) is a uncommon pelican found in 50 countries, weighing about 5.4 kg. The pink-backed pelican is a bird of the pelican family.
About the Pink-backed Pelican
The pink-backed pelican is a bird of the pelican family. It is a resident breeder in the swamps and shallow lakes of Africa and southern Arabia; it has also been extirpated from Madagascar.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
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.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Sweden, Spain, Germany, Belgium, United States, Poland, Austria, Angola, Italy, Equatorial Guinea, Mali, Réunion.
When to see it
The Pink-backed Pelican can be seen all year round, with peak activity in November. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Pink-backed Pelican?
- It is a relatively small pelican, although by no means is it a small bird. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Pink-backed Pelican?
- The Pink-backed Pelican is a huge sized bird weighing about 5.4 kg.
- Where can you see a Pink-backed Pelican?
- The Pink-backed Pelican occurs in 50 countries, including South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, the Gambia and Senegal.
- What birds look similar to a Pink-backed Pelican?
- The Pink-backed Pelican is most easily confused with the Dalmatian Pelican, the Peruvian Pelican and the Spot-billed Pelican.
- Is the Pink-backed Pelican endangered?
- The Pink-backed Pelican is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Pink-backed Pelican for real
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