There is 7 different types of species of peilcans around the world.
They all hold the primary colour white and they are similar in shape
Generally the males pelicans are larger then the females
so the most characteristic features for these birds
is the elongated beak and the massive deep throat pouch
The Australian pelican is predominately found throughout Australia
in Papua New Guinea, Western Indonesia
and have been spotted in New Zealand and Western Pacific Islands
Pelicans are wide spread
found in fresh water estuaries, marine wetlands and waterways
these includes lakes, swamps, rivers, coastal islands and shores
Pelicans are highly mobile searching for suitable areas of water and adequate food supply
Pelicans are not capable to sustaining flapping flight
but can remain in the air for up to 24 hours
they are excellent soarers and can reach up to a speed of 56 km per hour
Pelicans manly eat fish, but are also optimistic feeders
eating a verity aqua animals including crustaceans, tadpoles and turtles
they regularly accept handouts from humans
and have been recorded to eat some unusual items
the bill and pouch plays and important role in feeding
the bill is sensitive so helps locate fish in murky waters
when the prey is caught and its head is facing down the pelicans pouch
the pelican jerks its head and swallows is prey
Australian pelicans may sometimes feed alone
but often they feed in cooperative groups and sometimes these groups can get quit large
Pelicans can breed all year round
but it does depend on the environmental condition and particularity rainfall
breeding begins with courtship. The female will lead potential males around the colony
as the males follow her, swinging their open bill from side to side
males may pick up small objects which they throw into the air and catch again to attrack the females attention
clutch size between one to three eggs and incubation is roughly thirty five days
their nesting period is approximately twenty eight days
and when they leave their nest they can fly quit well and are quit independent
wild pelicans can live between ten to fifteen years or more
