What kind of bird is a pelican? We will explain its characteristics, ecology, and habitat. It is known as a very distinctive animal with a throat pouch that all pelicans have. Since it can be seen on all continents around the world, everyone knows it.
What is a Pelican? Basic Stats
Pelicans are birds that belong to the Pelecaniformes. Their English name is Pelican, and their scientific name is Pelecanus. They have a body of 2m, a wingspan of about 3m, and a weight of 13kg. The list of information is as follows. Pelicans are registered as products of various companies, such as Pelican Mail, Pelican Documents, fountain pens, ballpoint pens, and cases, and are often displayed on internet pages.
| Japanese（和名） | ペリカン |
| English（英名） | Pelican |
| scientific name(学名) | Pelecanus |
| classification（分類） | Aves、 Pelecaniformes、 Pelecanidae、Pelecanus 鳥綱、ペリカン目、ペリカン科、ペリカン属 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | LEAST CONCERN |
| Length（体長） | 200cm |
| Weight（体重） | 13 kg |
About classification
The following is a quote from Wikipedia: The following variants have been identified around the world:
Pelecanus conspicillatus コシグロペリカン Australian pelican
Pelecanus crispus ハイイロペリカン Dalmatian Pelican
Pelecanus erythrorhynchos シロペリカン American white pelican
Pelecanus occidentalis カッショクペリカン Brown pelican
Pelecanus onocrotalus モモイロペリカン Great white pelican
Pelecanus philippensis ホシバシペリカン Spot-billed pelican
Pelecanus rufescens コシベニペリカン Pink-backed pelican
Pelecanus thagus ペルーペリカン Peruvian Pelican
Habitat
Pelicans are found on all continents around the world, including Africa, Asia, America, South America and Oceania.
What are its characteristics? What kind of creature is it?
Pelicans are famous for their throat pouches, which are quite elastic. They are known for using these elastic pouches to catch fish, and that is why they have them. Their beaks are large and long, with skin that stretches like a pouch from their lower beak to their throat. They maintain their balance by shifting the position of their head back and forth. Their habitats are coastal areas, lakes, and other places where there are fish.
What is their ecology?
Pelicans mainly eat fish, but they also eat crustaceans. They breed oviparously. After deciding on a place to build a nest, the male courts the female. The incubation period is about one month, and the female lays multiple eggs. However, the chicks that are born grow up in a harsh environment, with most of them dying within one year of birth. Their lifespan is 15-25 years.
Do they have any natural enemies?
Pelicans’ natural enemies include tiger sharks, killer whales, and coyotes.
Are pelicans endangered?
Pelicans are classified as a species of least concern, and are not endangered. They are kept in zoos and events are held, so please check the guide and participate.
Can you keep pelicans as pets?
Some types of pelicans are rare animals and commercial trade is restricted by the Washington Convention.
How much do they cost?
They can be purchased at pet shops for 300,000 to 1 million yen or more, but the number is very limited and it is not easy to obtain them.
Facilities are required to keep them
Facilities are required to keep them, and this is where most ordinary people give up. In order to keep pelicans, a large area of land with water to catch fish is required. Large fish of about 300g to 600g are mainly needed, and these also need to be collected.
It is difficult to keep multiple pelicans
Pelicans can eat birds and small mammals smaller than themselves. Therefore, it is difficult to keep multiple pelicans, and it is quite difficult. They are also dangerous birds because they sometimes try to eat animals such as dogs and cats and even human children.
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