The Pink-backed Pelican (Pelecanus rufescens) is a member of the pelican family of birds. It is a resident breeder in Africa, southern Arabia and apparently extinct in Madagascar in swamps and shallow lakes.
Description
This is a relatively small pelican though by no means a small bird. The size difference is apparent besides the sympatric Great White Pelican
as well as its grayish as opposed to white plumage. 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 if from 4 to 7 kg (8.8 to 15 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.
Habitat
Found in a range of aquatic habitats, but prefers quiet backwaters
with shallow water, avoiding steep, vegetated lake banks. It prefers for
freshwater lakes, swamps, large slow-flowing rivers, and seasonal pools
but also frequents reservoirs, seasonally flooded land3 and
flood-plains near river mouths. It may occur on alkaline and saline
lakes and lagoons, and can sometimes be found along the coast in bays1
and estuaries2, 3, 5 (although seldom on open seashore). The species
tends to roost and breed in trees (e.g. mangroves), but will also roost
on sandy islands, cliffs, coral reefs and sand-dunes.
Nesting
Nesting trees have many nests built close together, these nests are re-used every year until often the trees collapse although the birds will normally remain in the area. The species nests colonially in trees, reeds or low bushes along waterfronts as well as (less often) on the ground on sandy islands and in mangroves.
Nesting trees have many nests built close together, these nests are re-used every year until often the trees collapse although the birds will normally remain in the area. The species nests colonially in trees, reeds or low bushes along waterfronts as well as (less often) on the ground on sandy islands and in mangroves.
The nest is a large heap of sticks, into which two to three large white eggs are laid. The chicks feed by plunging their heads deep into the adult’s pouch and taking the partially digested regurgitated fish, and may be 10-50 m above the ground.
Food
Fish - piscivore, frogs - ranivore, insects - insectivore
They feed on a variety of foods, including small invertebrates and
amphibians but their main food is fish. Only the brown pelican dives
into the water from the air. All the other species plunge their heads
under the water whilst floating on the surface and fill their pouches
with fish and water. They then shake the water out of the end of their
beak and swallow the fish whole. Sometimes they will move away from
water into drier areas to feed on locusts.
Range
Monotypic. Africa, Seychelles and southwestern Arabia; extinct in Madagascar.
Range
Monotypic. Africa, Seychelles and southwestern Arabia; extinct in Madagascar.
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