greyish plumage; large pinkish-yellow bill (Zoo; 2008-10-21)


Pink-backed Pelican
Pelecanus rufescens

Native Range: Africa

Notes: smaller and darker-plumaged than the sometimes sympatric Great White Pelican that breeds in Eurasia but migrates to Africa; inhabits lakes and estuaries, usually fishing alone; mostly silent but can give gutteral calls; breeds in colonies; juvenile is dark brown but becomes grayer with age; no sexual dimorphism.

perhaps a juvenile, given the brownish cast of plumage (Zoo; 2008-10-21)
gular pouch striated with pinkish bands (Zoo; 2008-10-21)
bird on nest (Zoo; 2012-09-19)