Spot-billed Pelican

Latin Name: 
Pelecanus philippensis
Category: 
Size: 
150cm
Description: 

Sexes alike. Whitish plumage sullied with grey-brown; pink on lower back, rump and flanks; whitetipped brown crest on back of head; black primaries and
dark brown secondaries distinctive in flight; flesh coloured gular pouch has a bluish-purple wash; at close range the blue spots on upper mandible and on gular pouch confirm identity of species. Purely aquatic; seen singly as well as in large gatherings, driving the fish into shallow waters before scooping up the prey in the gular pouches.

Habitat: 
Large jheels, lakes.
Distribution: 
Breeds in the well-watered parts of S, SE and E India but population spreads in non-breeding season.
Call: 
Call Description: 
Mostly silent.
IUCN: 
National Status: