Pelicans Pelecanidae
The 7 species of pelicans are grouped into single genus. The Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus is considered vulnerable and the Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis is considered near-threatened. They are extremely large birds, with a wingspan measuring upto eleven feet. There enormous bills have a pouch that is suspended from the lower mandible. It is used for scooping up fish, rather like a large fishing net. They are found sporadically on every continent, except Antarctica.

Pelecanus

There are 7 species in this genus.

The Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis has a different technique of feeding from other pelicans, preferring to plunge-dive like a gannet or booby. They are the smallest member of the family. Restricted to the New World, they are found along the warmer Pacific and Atlantic coasts, including the West Indies. The Peruvian race Pelecanus occidentalis thagus is considered by some authorities to be a seperate species. They have a limited range from coastal central Peru, south to southern Chile. This "Peruvian Pelican" was one of many I observed from a boat in the harbor of Pucusana, near Lima, Peru.




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