Australia's only species of pelican. They occasionally form small flocks and help one another to feed by surrounding fish and herding them together.

At a glance

Habitat Coastal bays and inlets, and inland freshwater wetlands.
Size Body up to 1.8 m long with a wingspan of 2.3 to 2.6 m Weight can range from 4 to 13 kg, Bill size from 40 cm - 50 cm long and is larger in males than females
Origin Native
Distribution Widespread on the inland and coastal waters of Australia and New Guinea, also in Fiji, parts of Indonesia and as a vagrant in New Zealand
Descriptions
Distribution
Widespread on the inland and coastal waters of Australia and New Guinea, also in Fiji, parts of Indonesia and as a vagrant in New Zealand
Habitat
Coastal bays and inlets, and inland freshwater wetlands.
Size
Body up to 1.8 m long with a wingspan of 2.3 to 2.6 m Weight can range from 4 to 13 kg, Bill size from 40 cm - 50 cm long and is larger in males than females

Audio

Jarrod Kath CC BY-SA 4.0
Common Name Australian pelican
Aliases Spectacled Pelican,
Origin Native
Conservation Least Concern
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Distribution and map

Distribution provided by The Atlas of Living Australia

Classification

Classification

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
SubphylumVertebrata
SuperclassGnathostomata
ClassAves
OrderPelecaniformes
SuborderPelecani
FamilyPelecanidae
GenusPelecanus
SpeciesPelecanus conspicillatus
Synonyms

Synonyms

Pelecanus conspicillatus westralis Mathews, 1912
Pelecanus grandiceps De Vis 1905
Catoptropelicanus perspicillatus Reichenbach, 1853
Pelecanus australis Stephens, 1826
References and dates
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Bibliography View page references
Added Sat 27 Dec 2025 @ 22:23 PM
Updated Sat 27 Dec 2025 @ 22:23 PM
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Disclaimer: A lot of work goes into trying to identify and ensure accurate identifications are made, and that the listed Descriptions, Sizes, Habitats and Distribution information is as accurate and valid as possible. Unfortunately, information in this arena is ever changing and as such no guarantee can be offered that it is correct or currently valid — the information is provided as a guide, and it is always suggested that you do a little research to ensure you have the latest and most accurate information. View the references or bibliography. Feedback and comments on the information provided are always welcome.