GREAT WHITE PELICAN / EASTERN WHITE PELICAN
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Pelecaniformes
Family: Pelecanidae
Genus: Pelecanus
Species: Pelecanus onocrotalus
The Great White Pelican is distributed across southeastern Europe, Western and Central Asia, as well as many regions of Africa. Breeding colonies are mainly concentrated in the deltas of large rivers and on shallow lakes.
In Ukraine, it is found primarily in the Danube Delta and along the Black Sea coast during migration or nesting of small populations. Lifespan in the wild ranges from 15 to 25 years, and up to 30–40 years in captivity. Females weigh between 5 and 7 kg, while males weigh from 7 to 11 kg. Body length ranges from 140 to 180 cm, with a wingspan of 226 to 360 cm.
The Great White Pelican is one of the largest flying birds in Europe. It is a social species that forms large colonies, sometimes numbering several thousand individuals. Nesting occurs colonially on the ground or in reeds. Clutch size is 1–3 eggs, with an incubation period of about 29–36 days. Both parents participate in incubation and feeding of the chicks.
Pelicans are diurnal birds. They are strong fliers, using thermal air currents to travel long distances during migration. A characteristic behavior is cooperative fishing—birds form a semicircle and drive fish into shallow waters. They are carnivorous (primarily piscivorous). Their diet mainly consists of fish (such as crucian carp, carp, perch, etc.). An adult pelican can consume up to 1–1.5 kg of fish per day. For catching prey, it uses its large throat pouch to scoop up water along with fish. Modern pelican species evolved as waterbirds, adapting to a fish-based diet and life near aquatic environments.
The pelican holds symbolic meaning in many cultures:
- In Christian tradition, it symbolizes self-sacrifice and care (based on the legend of feeding its chicks with its own blood).
- In heraldry, the pelican often represents parental love.
In art and literature, this bird is associated with nobility and care. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Great White Pelican has the status:
LC (Least Concern) — a species of least concern.
However, local populations may decline due to:
- drainage of wetlands
- water pollution
- disturbance at nesting sites
The species is protected by international agreements and within a number of conservation areas.
5 Interesting facts
- The Great White Pelican has one of the largest wingspans among European birds—up to 3.6 meters.
- Its throat pouch can hold up to 10–13 liters of water along with fish.
- Pelicans hunt cooperatively, which is a relatively rare behavior among birds.
- Despite their large size, pelicans are excellent at soaring and can fly with minimal energy expenditure.
- Chicks are born blind and helpless, but they grow quickly and become active within a few weeks.
