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Pink-backed Pelican
Pelecanus rufescensA medium-sized pelican with a distinctive pinkish-grey back – a graceful fisher of Africa's lakes and rivers.
The Pink-backed Pelican (Pelecanus rufescens) is a medium-sized pelican found in Africa and southern Arabia. Named for the distinctive pinkish-grey colour of its back and wings, this elegant waterbird is known for its enormous bill and throat pouch, which it uses as a fishing net to catch its prey. It is a graceful flyer, often seen gliding low over the water or soaring high on thermals.
Pink-backed Pelican Quick Facts
What Is the Pink-backed Pelican?
The Pink-backed Pelican (Pelecanus rufescens) is a medium-sized pelican belonging to the family Pelecanidae, which includes the world's eight species of pelicans. It was first described by the German naturalist Johann Friedrich Gmelin in 1789. The species name rufescens is from the Latin rufus, meaning "reddish", and -escens, meaning "becoming", referring to the pinkish tint on its back and wings.
This species is closely related to the Great White Pelican and the Dalmatian Pelican, but is smaller and more slender. It is found across sub-Saharan Africa and in the southwestern Arabian Peninsula, occurring in both freshwater and brackish habitats.
The Pink-backed Pelican is the smallest of the three pelican species found in Africa, the others being the Great White Pelican and the Dalmatian Pelican. It is a resident bird in most of its range, though local movements may occur in response to rainfall and water availability.
How to Identify a Pink-backed Pelican
The Pink-backed Pelican is a distinctive and elegant bird, easily recognised by its size, colouration, and enormous bill. Here are its key identifying features:
- Size: A medium-sized pelican, measuring 125-155 cm (49-61 in) in length with a wingspan of 2.15-2.9 m (7.1-9.5 ft).
- Plumage: Greyish-white to grey overall, with a distinctive pinkish or pinkish-grey tint on the back and wings. The pink colouration is most pronounced during the breeding season.
- Head: The head has a crest of feathers, which is more prominent in breeding adults.
- Bill: Large and pinkish-yellow, with a dark tip. The bill and the large throat pouch are used for catching fish.
- Throat pouch: Large and pinkish or yellowish, capable of holding up to 13 litres of water.
- Legs: Greyish.
- Breeding plumage: During the breeding season, adults develop longer plumes on the head and a more vibrant pink flush on the back.
Distinguishing from Similar Species
The Pink-backed Pelican can be confused with the Great White Pelican. The Great White Pelican is much larger, with a wingspan of up to 3.6 metres, and has a pure white (not grey) plumage with a pinkish-orange bill. The Pink-backed Pelican is smaller and has a greyish plumage with a pinkish back. It is also distinguished by its more slender build and the crest of feathers on its head.
Behavior & Social Life
Pink-backed Pelicans are social birds, often found in flocks, especially during the non-breeding season. They are graceful fliers, capable of soaring on thermals for long periods.
Foraging Behavior
- Fishing technique: The Pink-backed Pelican catches fish by dipping its bill into the water and using its throat pouch as a net. It often forages in groups, working together to herd fish into shallow water.
- Cooperative fishing: They sometimes engage in cooperative fishing, forming a line or a circle and driving fish into a confined area.
- Foraging habitat: Feeds in shallow water, often along the edges of lakes, rivers, and swamps.
Flight
- Flight style: Graceful and powerful, with slow, deep wing beats interspersed with gliding. Often flies in V-formation or lines.
- Soaring: Capable of soaring on thermals, reaching great heights.
Vocalization
Pink-backed Pelicans are mostly silent, but may produce low grunts, hisses, and bill-clattering sounds, particularly at nesting colonies.
Habitat & Distribution
The Pink-backed Pelican is found in a variety of freshwater and brackish habitats across sub-Saharan Africa and southern Arabia.
Key habitat types include:
- Freshwater lakes and rivers – especially shallow water with abundant fish.
- Swamps and marshes – particularly those with reedbeds and papyrus.
- Estuaries and coastal lagoons – in some parts of its range.
- Seasonal floodplains – important feeding areas during the wet season.
Distribution: The Pink-backed Pelican has an extremely large range, with an Extent of Occurrence of approximately 27,100,000 km². It is found across much of sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegambia in the west to Ethiopia and Kenya in the east, and southwards to South Africa. It also occurs in the southwestern Arabian Peninsula. The species is largely sedentary, though local movements may occur in response to rainfall.
Tanzania Distribution
In Tanzania, the Pink-backed Pelican is found in freshwater lakes, rivers, and swamps across the country. It has been recorded in Serengeti National Park (particularly in the lake and riverine areas), Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tarangire National Park, and Ruaha National Park.
Pink-backed Pelican in Tanzania
The Pink-backed Pelican is an elegant and widespread waterbird of Tanzania's lakes, rivers, and wetlands. Here are the best locations to see it:
Serengeti National Park
Found in the Serengeti's lake and riverine areas, particularly around Lake Ndutu, Lake Magadi, and along the Grumeti and Mara rivers. Often seen resting on sandbanks or foraging in shallow water.
Serengeti safariNgorongoro Crater
Recorded in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, especially in the Lake Magadi area of the crater floor. Often seen wading in the shallow waters or resting on the shore.
Ngorongoro safariTarangire National Park
Found along the Tarangire River and in the seasonal swamps. Often seen in large flocks during the dry season when water is scarce.
Tarangire safariRuaha National Park
A resident species in Ruaha's wetland areas along the Great Ruaha River. Often found in the riverine vegetation and seasonal floodplains.
Ruaha safariSafari Methods
- Game drives near lakes, rivers, and wetlands.
- Birdwatching – look for the greyish plumage with a pinkish back, the enormous bill, and the distinctive throat pouch.
- Wildlife photography – the Pink-backed Pelican's elegant appearance and graceful flight make it an excellent photographic subject.
- Boat safaris – where available, boat-based viewing offers excellent opportunities to observe pelicans foraging and resting.
Best Time to See Them
Pink-backed Pelicans are resident year-round in suitable habitat. The dry season (June to October) is generally best for wildlife viewing as birds congregate around remaining water sources. The breeding season typically occurs during the rainy season (November to May).
Diet & Feeding
The Pink-backed Pelican is a piscivore, feeding mainly on fish, but also taking other aquatic prey.
Food Sources
- Fish: The staple diet, consisting of a variety of fish species.
- Frogs: Amphibians are an important food source.
- Crustaceans: Crabs and other crustaceans.
- Waterbirds: Occasionally takes waterbirds and their eggs.
Feeding Behavior
The Pink-backed Pelican catches fish by dipping its bill into the water and using its throat pouch as a net. It often forages in groups, working together to herd fish into shallow water. It may also forage alone, swimming slowly and dipping its bill to catch passing fish. After catching a fish, the pelican drains the water from its pouch and swallows the fish head-first.
Breeding & Life Cycle
The Pink-backed Pelican is monogamous and breeds in colonies.
Nesting
- Breeding season: Typically occurs during the rainy season, from November to May in East Africa.
- Nest site: Builds nests in trees, often over water or on islands, using sticks and reeds.
- Nest construction: Both sexes build the nest, which is a platform of sticks lined with soft vegetation.
- Clutch: 2 to 3 eggs.
- Incubation: 29 to 35 days, shared by both parents.
Chicks
Chicks are altricial (born helpless with down feathers). Both parents feed the chicks by regurgitating fish. Young fledge at 70 to 80 days old and remain dependent on the parents for some time after fledging.
Conservation Status
The Pink-backed Pelican is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Population: The global population is estimated at between 50,000 and 100,000 individuals. The population trend is stable.
Justification: This species has an extremely large range (27,100,000 km²) and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable. The population size is very large, and the population trend is stable, so the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable.
Threats: While the species is not currently threatened globally, it faces local threats including:
- Habitat loss: Drainage and degradation of wetlands.
- Human disturbance: Disturbance at breeding colonies.
- Pollution: Pesticides and other chemicals in water bodies.
- Overfishing: Competition with humans for fish.
The Pink-backed Pelican is listed on CITES Appendix II and is protected by various international agreements, including the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (AEWA).
Comparisons
The Pink-backed Pelican is sometimes confused with other pelicans. Here are the key differences:
| Feature | Pink-backed Pelican | Great White Pelican | Dalmatian Pelican |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 125-155 cm | 140-180 cm | 160-180 cm |
| Wingspan | 2.15-2.9 m | 2.4-3.6 m | 2.7-3.2 m |
| Plumage | Greyish with pinkish back | White with black wingtips | Greyish-white |
| Bill Colour | Pinkish-yellow | Pinkish-orange | Orange-yellow |
| Head | Crest of feathers | Yellowish patch around eye | Dark eye patch |
| Range | Sub-Saharan Africa & Arabia | Africa, Europe, Asia | Eastern Europe, Asia |
Did You Know?
Pinkish Back
The Pink-backed Pelican is named for the distinctive pinkish-grey colour of its back and wings, which is most pronounced during the breeding season.
Throat Pouch Capacity
The Pink-backed Pelican's throat pouch can hold up to 13 litres of water, making it an effective fishing net.
Cooperative Fishing
These pelicans sometimes engage in cooperative fishing, herding fish into shallow water or forming a line to drive fish together.
Graceful Soarer
Pink-backed Pelicans are powerful and graceful fliers, capable of soaring on thermals for long distances.
Tree Nesters
Unlike many other pelicans that nest on the ground, Pink-backed Pelicans build their nests in trees, often over water.
Widespread Resident
With a range of over 27 million square kilometres, the Pink-backed Pelican is one of the most widespread pelican species in the world.
There is a serene elegance to the Pink-backed Pelican as it glides low over the African water. Its greyish-pink plumage catches the light, and its enormous bill seems almost impossible for a bird of its size. It is a master of patience, sitting motionless on the water or standing on a sandbank, waiting for the right moment to dip its bill into the water and scoop up a meal. And when it takes flight, it rises with a grace that defies its size, its wings beating slowly and powerfully as it climbs into the sky. The Pink-backed Pelican is a reminder that sometimes the most impressive creatures are not the loudest or the fastest, but the ones that move through the world with quiet confidence.
Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
The Pink-backed Pelican (Pelecanus rufescens) is a medium-sized pelican found in Africa and southern Arabia. It is named for the distinctive pinkish-grey colour of its back and wings, and is known for its enormous bill and throat pouch, which it uses to catch fish.
Pink-backed Pelicans are found in freshwater lakes, rivers, and swamps across Tanzania. Key locations include Serengeti National Park (particularly in the lake and riverine areas), Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tarangire National Park, and Ruaha National Park.
The Pink-backed Pelican feeds mainly on fish, but also takes frogs, crustaceans, and occasionally waterbirds and their eggs. It catches fish by dipping its bill into the water and using its throat pouch as a net.
No. The Pink-backed Pelican is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. It has a large range of approximately 27,100,000 km² and a large population, though it is affected by habitat loss and human disturbance.
The Pink-backed Pelican is a greyish pelican with a pinkish tint on the back and wings. It has a large, pinkish-yellow bill and a large throat pouch. The head has a crest of feathers, and the legs are greyish. Breeding birds have longer plumes on the head.
The Pink-backed Pelican measures 125-155 cm (49-61 in) in length with a wingspan of 2.15-2.9 m (7.1-9.5 ft). It weighs between 4-7 kg (8.8-15.4 lb), making it a medium-sized pelican.
Pink-backed Pelicans are monogamous and breed in colonies. They build nests in trees, often over water, using sticks and reeds. The female lays 2-3 eggs which are incubated by both parents for about 29-35 days. Chicks fledge after 70-80 days.
In Swahili, the Pink-backed Pelican is known as Mdomo-kijivu or Mwali.
References & Further Reading
- BirdLife International – Pink-backed Pelican: IUCN Red List assessment, Least Concern status, range 27,100,000 km², population estimate.
- Wikipedia – Pink-backed pelican: Description, distribution, habitat, diet, breeding, conservation.
- eBird – Pink-backed Pelican: Identification, distribution, sightings.
- Avibase – Pink-backed Pelican: Taxonomy, subspecies, distribution.
- Pelican Way – Pink-backed Pelican: Habitat, diet, breeding, conservation.
- Oiseaux.net – Pink-backed Pelican: Photo records from Tanzania.
- South African National Biodiversity Institute – Pink-backed Pelican: Biology, ecology, distribution.
