Pelican Facts
A pelican is a large water bird of the genus Pelecanus, set apart by its long beak and a big throat pouch it uses to scoop up prey and drain out water.
- Class
- Bird
- Scientific name
- Pelecanus
About the pelican
Eight living species make up the pelican genus. Most have pale feathers, with the brown and Peruvian pelicans as exceptions. Before breeding season, the bill, pouch and bare skin on the face of every species turn bright. Pelicans range from the tropics to temperate zones, but they skip the polar regions, the open ocean and the interior of the Amazon.
Some travel surprisingly far inland. At least one species flies to the desert of Australia's Red Centre when heavy rain creates short-lived lakes. White pelicans turn up at Utah's Great Salt Lake, roughly 600 miles from the Pacific coast, and others follow the Mississippi River north. Pelicans were once thought to be close cousins of cormorants and gannets, but their nearest relatives are the shoebill and hamerkop.
Did you know?
- Pelicans likely evolved in the Old World and later spread into the Americas.
- The eight pelican species form two lineages, one Old World and one New World.
- Ibises, spoonbills, herons and bitterns sit in the same order as pelicans, Pelecaniformes.
Questions about the pelican
How do pelicans catch fish?
They scoop up prey in their large throat pouch, then drain the water out before swallowing.
How many pelican species are there?
There are eight living species of pelican.
Sources
- Wikidata Q19413, checked October 8, 2026
- Wikipedia: Pelican, checked October 8, 2026
Facts are compiled from these open sources and rewritten in our own words. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.