PELICAN FRENZY: ANATOMY OF THE GREAT WHITE PELICAN

At Wild Tomorrow, every day brings new wonders, and our newly acquired Sisonke property recently witnessed a truly spectacular event. As the dry winter season caused water levels in our dams to drop, flocks of Great White Pelicans (Pelecanus onocrotalus) descended upon the reserve in a feeding frenzy. With fish in abundance, the pelicans indulged in a feast—some even eating beyond their limits. It was an unforgettable moment, one that led to a unique opportunity to observe these remarkable birds up close and delve into the fascinating intricacies of their anatomy. 

Great White Pelicans in numbers on our Greater Ukuwela Nature Reserve. Photo: Chantelle Melzer

Our recently acquired Sisonke property became a flurry of activity, with the arrival of Great White Pelicans (Pelecanus onocrotalus) in large numbers. Their appearance was not just a feast for the eyes but a literal feeding frenzy as the birds took advantage of the dropping water levels due to the seasonal dry spell. These conditions made fish an easy catch, leading to a landscape littered with regurgitated fish as some of the pelicans gorged themselves beyond capacity. 

Among the crowd was one pelican struggling to take flight, its belly so full it couldn’t lift off the ground. Our head ranger, Siya, seized the opportunity to safely capture the bird to monitor its condition overnight. This fortuitous event gave our Reserve Manager, Kevin Jolliffe, a unique opportunity: to ring a pelican! Up close, we were given rare insight into the fascinating anatomy of these majestic birds, raising questions that led us to explore their unique biological adaptations.

The pelican safely captured and kept overnight for observation. Photo: Chantelle Melzer

A CLOSER LOOK AT PELICAN ANATOMY

The Stretchy Gular Pouch 

The most distinctive feature of pelicans is their incredible gular pouch, a flexible, featherless membrane that hangs from the lower jaw like a built-in fishing net. This pouch can expand dramatically when the bird plunges its head underwater, scooping up fish along with large quantities of water. The ability to hold several liters of water simultaneously allows the pelican to filter out the liquid by pressing its pouch against its breast and expelling it before swallowing its catch. 

What makes this pouch even more remarkable is its role in thermal regulation. Given their large size, pelicans are prone to overheating, especially in warm environments. The network of blood vessels running through the pouch allows for heat dissipation, especially when the pelican faces away from the sun and flutters the pouch to release excess body heat.

Air Sacs: Nature’s Built-in Buoyancy System 

Upon closer inspection, one surprising discovery was the incredibly soft and airy feel of the pelican’s body. Pelicans, like many large aquatic birds, have air sacs located beneath their skin. These sacs act as a buoyancy aid, making it easier for them to float on water despite their size. The air sacs are part of a complex respiratory system, allowing the pelican to take in and store air, making their movements across the water both efficient and graceful. 

These air pockets also serve a protective function, cushioning the bird’s body when they dive from great heights into the water in pursuit of prey. The soft, padded body we felt was more than just a layer of feathers; it functioned as a biological air mattress, effectively absorbing impact.

The Mighty Beak 

The beak of the pelican is a marvel in itself. The Great White Pelican boasts one of the longest beaks among birds, with some individuals reaching up to 45 cm (18 inches) in length. The upper bill, which is somewhat sword-like, features a small hook at the tip, known as the "nail." This projection aids in grabbing slippery prey, giving the pelican an extra advantage during feeding. The lower mandible, on the other hand, is flexible and capable of stretching to enlarge the gular pouch when scooping up fish—a condition called "streptognathism."  

A MYTH BUSTED: DO PELICANS STORE FISH IN THEIR POUCHES? 

One common misconception about pelicans is that they store fish in their pouches for later consumption. While this myth has persisted for centuries, the reality is that pelicans eat their catch almost immediately after scooping it up. Even when feeding their young, pelicans will first swallow the prey and later regurgitate it in a partially digested form for their chicks. 

Feet Built for Swimming 

Pelicans are built for life on the water. Their feet are fully webbed, with all four toes connected by webbing—this condition is called totipalmate, a feature shared with only a few other bird species. While their short legs may not make them the most agile walkers, their webbed feet make them excellent swimmers, enabling them to navigate through the water with remarkable ease and agility. 

The most common collective nouns for a group of pelicans are a squadron, pod, pouch or scoop of pelicans.

PELICAN CONSERVATION AT SISONKE

This recent influx of Great White Pelicans on our new Sisonke section has provided an exciting glimpse into the lives of these fascinating birds. The water levels in our dams have created ideal conditions for a feeding bonanza. It’s particularly important habitat for the species regionally as the Great White Pelican is vulnerable to extinction, with only an estimated 2,500 pairs in South Africa. Of this, 2,000 are found in our region KwaZulu-Natal at Lake St Lucia, part of neighboring iSimangaliso Wetland Park. They are threatened by low water levels in the lake, causing it to become too salty and reducing the amount of available fish which can lead to starvation and breeding failure. We’re glad to see Sisonke provided a feast of fish to support the pelicans!  

We have been actively restoring indigenous plant species and protecting wetland areas to create a supportive habitat for a myriad of species, including pelicans and other waterbirds. As we restore the habitat on Sisonke, these moments inspire us to look deeper into the intricacies of wildlife anatomy and behavior. Each species, like the Great White Pelican, is perfectly adapted to its environment, and it's our mission at Wild Tomorrow to ensure these environments remain intact and protected...creating a wild tomorrow! 

If you’d like to support our conservation efforts at Sisonke and help protect the Great While Pelican and other incredible species that call the Greater Ukuwela Nature Reserve home, consider making a donation today or joining one of our Conservation Experience trips getting hands on in the field!