Birds diurnal

Great White Pelican

Pelecanus onocrotalus

The Great White Pelican is a true titan of the wetlands, boasting one of the largest wingspans in the avian world. Known for its remarkable rosy-white feathers and its iconic cooperative hunting style, this bird is a master of both the air and the water.

0 Sightings

0 Habitats

Quick Identification

straighten

Size

Length: 140–180 cm (55–71 in); Wingspan: 226–360 cm (7.4–11.8 ft); Weight: 9–15 kg (20–33 lbs)

palette

Colors

Pure white plumage often tinged with a rosy-pink hue during breeding; black primary flight feathers visible in flight; pinkish-yellow facial skin and a bright yellow-to-orange throat pouch.

visibility

Key Features

Massive yellow gular (throat) pouch used for fishing
Gigantic wingspan reaching up to 11.8 feet
Long, heavy bill with a small hook at the tip
Social birds often seen in large, coordinated groups

When You’ll See Them

schedule

Activity pattern diurnal

brightness_5

Peak hours 8 AM - 11 AM and 3 PM - 6 PM

calendar_month

Season Year-round in Africa; April-September in Europe and Asia

restaurant

Diet Primarily fish (such as carp and cichlids), but they are opportunistic and will occasionally eat crustaceans, eggs, or even the chicks of other waterbirds.

park

Habitat Large, shallow freshwater lakes, marshes, swamps, and occasionally coastal lagoons or estuaries.

bar_chart
Loading activity data...

Behavior

Great White Pelicans are highly social creatures that rarely travel alone. They are famous for their cooperative hunting technique, where a group will form a horseshoe shape on the water, beating their wings and splashing to drive fish into the shallows where they are easily scooped up. Despite their massive size, they are incredibly graceful in the air, often utilizing thermals to soar to great heights during migration or when traveling between feeding grounds.

On land, they are somewhat more awkward but maintain a strong social structure within their colonies. They are generally quiet birds, though they can produce deep growls or grunts when at their nesting sites. While they are usually wary of humans, they can become habituated to people in areas where fishing scraps are readily available, though they remain wild and powerful animals that should be observed from a distance.

photo_camera EverydayEarth exclusive

Camera Tips

Capturing the Great White Pelican requires a strategic approach due to their massive size and the reflective nature of their white feathers. Position your camera on a sturdy tripod or mounting post near the water’s edge where the shoreline curves, as these birds often gather in these 'nooks' to rest or preen. Because they have a wingspan that can exceed 11 feet, set your camera back at least 15-20 feet from the expected landing zone to ensure you don't just capture a wall of white feathers. A wide-angle lens is your best friend here.

One of the biggest challenges with this species is 'blowing out' the whites—where the camera sensor loses detail in the bright plumage. If your AI camera allows for manual exposure settings, dial the exposure compensation down by -0.5 or -1.0. This preserves the subtle pink tinges and feather textures. For the best lighting, aim for the 'Golden Hours' shortly after sunrise or before sunset; the low sun angle highlights the translucency of their throat pouches and creates a beautiful glow on their feathers.

Since these birds are often found in wetlands, ensure your camera has a high waterproof rating (IP66 or better). If you are setting up a trail camera on a muddy bank, use a riser to keep the lens clear of splashing mud during takeoffs. You don't need bait for these birds—they are attracted to shallow water with high fish density. Look for areas where small fish are jumping or where other waterbirds are congregating, as the pelicans will naturally follow the food source.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Great White Pelican.

Dalmatian Pelican

Slightly larger with greyish-white plumage and curly 'mane' feathers on the head, lacking the rosy tint of the Great White.

Australian Pelican

Distinctly marked with more prominent black patches on the wings and tail, and a more bluish-white bill.

American White Pelican

Found in North America; features a distinct 'horn' on the upper mandible during the breeding season and lacks the pinkish facial skin.

Frequently Asked Questions

Great White Pelicans are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day. They are most frequently seen fishing in the mid-morning and late afternoon when fish are closer to the surface, and they spend the middle of the day preening or resting on sandbanks.

Unless your backyard includes a large, fish-stocked lake or sits on a major wetland flyway, you are unlikely to attract them to a typical suburban garden. However, if you live on a lake, maintaining a healthy, chemical-free aquatic ecosystem with plenty of native fish is the best way to encourage a visit.

Their diet consists almost entirely of fish, with a single adult eating up to 1.4kg (3 lbs) of fish per day. They are cooperative hunters, often working together to herd schools of fish into shallow water where they can scoop them up in their expandable pouches.

They are generally not common in suburban neighborhoods unless those areas are directly adjacent to large bodies of water like reservoirs, lakes, or coastal estuaries. They require significant open space for takeoff and landing due to their enormous wingspan.

The Great White Pelican has pinkish-white feathers and pink skin around the eyes, whereas the Dalmatian Pelican is more silvery-grey with orange-red skin around the eyes during breeding. Additionally, the Great White shows a strong contrast of black flight feathers when its wings are open, which is less pronounced in the Dalmatian.

Record Great White Pelican at your habitat

Connect a camera to start building your own species record — AI identifies every visitor automatically.

Join free Identify a photo