Flying Spot-billed Pelican

Featured animal: Spot-billed Pelican   (Pelecanus philippensis)

Photo credit: None

Location:  India

The spot-billed pelican is a large bird and a member of the pelican family. It is a dull grey bird and gets its name from the pouch which is pink to purplish and has large pale spots. Like most other pelicans, it catches fish in its huge bill pouch while swimming at the surface. It breeds in southern Asia from southern Iran across India east to Indonesia and its main habitat is in shallow lowland freshwaters. It is a bird found in large inland and coastal waters, especially large lakes. The birds nest in colonies and the nest is a thick platform of twigs placed on a low tree, usually built alongside other colonial waterbirds, particularly painted storks.  Visits to Kokkre Belur or Ranganthittu are a treat as you get to observe these birds at nesting and rearing time at close quarters.