14-3-2026 CAPE POINT BANJUL, THE GAMBIA - PINK BACKED PELICAN (Pelecanus rufescens)

The pink-backed pelican (Pelecanus rufescens) is a bird of the pelican family. It is a resident breeder in the swamps and shallow lakes of Africa and southern Arabia; it has also been extirpated from Madagascar.

It is a relatively small pelican, although by no means is it a small bird. Its length is from 125 to 155 cm (49 to 61 in), wingspan is 2.15–2.9 m (7.1–9.5 ft) and body mass is from 4 to 7 kg (8.8 to 15.4 lb). The bill is 30 to 38 cm (12 to 15 in) in length.[7][8] The plumage is grey and white, with a pinkish hue on the back occasionally apparent (never in the deep pink of a flamingo). The top of the bill is yellow and the pouch is usually greyish. Breeding adults have long feather plumes on the head.

It shares its habitat with the great white pelican, which is generally larger and has white instead of greyish plumage.

The pink-backed pelican is found in a range of aquatic habitats, but prefers quiet backwaters with shallow water, avoiding steep, vegetated lake banks. It prefers for freshwater lakes, swamps, large slow-flowing rivers, and seasonal pools but also frequents reservoirs, seasonally flooded land and flood-plains near river mouths. It may occur on alkaline and saline lakes and lagoons, and can sometimes be found along the coast in bays and estuaries (although seldom on open seashore). The species tends to roost and breed in trees (e.g. mangroves), but will also roost on sandy islands, cliffs, coral reefs and sand-dunes.

Nesting trees have many nests built close together. These nests are re-used every year until the trees collapse, although the birds will normally remain in the area. The species nests colonially in trees, reeds or low bushes along waterfronts as well as (less often) on the ground on sandy islands and in mangroves.

Its nest is a large heap of sticks and may be 10–50 m (33–164 ft) above the ground. The female lays two to three large white eggs and later the chicks feed by plunging their heads deep into the adult's pouch and taking the partially digested regurgitated fish.

20-12-2023 ALLAHEIN RIVER, SENEGAL - PINK BACKED PELICAN (Pelecanus rufescens)

The pink-backed pelican (Pelecanus rufescens) is a bird of the pelican family. It is a resident breeder in the swamps and shallow lakes of Africa and southern Arabia; it has also apparently been extirpated from Madagascar.

It is a relatively small pelican, although by no means is it a small bird. Its length is from 125 to 155 cm (49 to 61 in), wingspan is 2.15–2.9 m (7.1–9.5 ft) and body mass is from 4 to 7 kg (8.8 to 15.4 lb). The bill is 30 to 38 cm (12 to 15 in) in length. The plumage is grey and white, with a pinkish hue on the back occasionally apparent (never in the deep pink of a flamingo). The top of the bill is yellow and the pouch is usually greyish. Breeding adults have long feather plumes on the head.

It shares its habitat with the great white pelican, which is generally larger and has white instead of greyish plumage.

13-6-2023 MADRID ZOO, ESPANA - PINK BACKED PELICAN (Pelecanus rufescens)

The pink-backed pelican (Pelecanus rufescens) is a bird of the pelican family. It is a resident breeder in the swamps and shallow lakes of Africa and southern Arabia; it has also apparently extirpated in Madagascar.

It is a relatively small pelican, although by no means is it a small bird. Its length is from 125 to 155 cm (49 to 61 in), wingspan is 2.15–2.9 m (7.1–9.5 ft) and body mass is from 4 to 7 kg (8.8 to 15.4 lb). The bill is 30 to 38 cm (12 to 15 in) in length. The plumage is grey and white, with a pinkish hue on the back occasionally apparent (never in the deep pink of a flamingo). The top of the bill is yellow and the pouch is usually greyish. Breeding adults have long feather plumes on the head.

It shares its habitat with the great white pelican, which is generally larger and has white instead of greyish plumage.

27-12-2022 CAPE POINT, GAMBIA - PINK BACKED PELICAN (Pelecanus rufescens)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/4335-Pelecanus-rufescens

18-4-2022 MANDINA LODGE, GAMBIA - PINK BACKED PELICAN (Pelecanus rufescens)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/4335-Pelecanus-rufescens

29-3-2021 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - PINK BACKED PELICAN (Pelecanus rufescens)

The pink-backed pelican (Pelecanus rufescens) is a bird of the pelican family. It is a resident breeder in the swamps and shallow lakes of Africa and southern Arabia; it has also been extirpated from Madagascar.

It is a relatively small pelican, although by no means is it a small bird. Its length is from 125 to 155 cm (49 to 61 in), wingspan is 2.15–2.9 m (7.1–9.5 ft) and body mass is from 4 to 7 kg (8.8 to 15.4 lb). The bill is 30 to 38 cm (12 to 15 in) in length.[7][8] The plumage is grey and white, with a pinkish hue on the back occasionally apparent (never in the deep pink of a flamingo). The top of the bill is yellow and the pouch is usually greyish. Breeding adults have long feather plumes on the head.

 It shares its habitat with the great white pelican, which is generally larger and has white instead of greyish plumage.

The pink-backed pelican is found in a range of aquatic habitats, but prefers quiet backwaters with shallow water, avoiding steep, vegetated lake banks. It prefers for freshwater lakes, swamps, large slow-flowing rivers, and seasonal pools but also frequents reservoirs, seasonally flooded land and flood-plains near river mouths. It may occur on alkaline and saline lakes and lagoons, and can sometimes be found along the coast in bays and estuaries (although seldom on open seashore). The species tends to roost and breed in trees (e.g. mangroves), but will also roost on sandy islands, cliffs, coral reefs and sand-dunes.

Nesting trees have many nests built close together. These nests are re-used every year until the trees collapse, although the birds will normally remain in the area. The species nests colonially in trees, reeds or low bushes along waterfronts as well as (less often) on the ground on sandy islands and in mangroves.

Its nest is a large heap of sticks and may be 10–50 m (33–164 ft) above the ground. The female lays two to three large white eggs and later the chicks feed by plunging their heads deep into the adult's pouch and taking the partially digested regurgitated fish.

This species thrives in a variety of aquatic environments, favoring tranquil backwaters with shallow waters. It is commonly found in freshwater lakes, swamps, large rivers with gentle currents, and seasonal pools. It can also be seen in reservoirs, seasonally flooded lands, and floodplains near river mouths, as well as alkaline and saline lakes and lagoons. Coastal presence is limited to bays and estuaries, as it seldom ventures onto the open seashore.

The Pink-backed Pelican is a resident breeder across Africa and southern Arabia. Historically, it was also found in Madagascar, but it has since been extirpated from the island.

9-9-2020 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - PINK BACKED PELICAN (Pelecanus rufescens)

The Pink-backed Pelican (Pelecanus rufescens) is a member of the pelican family, distinguished by its relatively modest size. Adults range from 125 to 155 cm in length, with a wingspan of 2.15 to 2.9 meters, and weigh between 4 to 7 kilograms. The plumage is primarily grey and white, with a subtle pink hue on the back that is never as vivid as that of a flamingo. The bill, measuring 30 to 38 cm, is topped with yellow, and the pouch is typically greyish. During the breeding season, adults may sport elongated feather plumes on their heads.

To identify the Pink-backed Pelican, look for its grey and white plumage with a possible pinkish tint on the back. The yellow upper bill and greyish pouch are also key features. In comparison to the larger Great White Pelican, which shares its habitat, the Pink-backed Pelican is smaller and has greyish rather than white plumage.

This species thrives in a variety of aquatic environments, favoring tranquil backwaters with shallow waters. It is commonly found in freshwater lakes, swamps, large rivers with gentle currents, and seasonal pools. It can also be seen in reservoirs, seasonally flooded lands, and floodplains near river mouths, as well as alkaline and saline lakes and lagoons. Coastal presence is limited to bays and estuaries, as it seldom ventures onto the open seashore.

The Pink-backed Pelican is a resident breeder across Africa and southern Arabia. Historically, it was also found in Madagascar, but it has since been extirpated from the island.

This pelican is known to nest colonially in trees, reeds, or low bushes near water bodies, and occasionally on the ground on sandy islands and in mangroves. Nests are constructed close together in nesting trees, which are reused annually until the trees collapse. The species tends to roost in similar environments, including mangroves, sandy islands, cliffs, coral reefs, and sand dunes.

The nest of the Pink-backed Pelican is a substantial heap of sticks, situated anywhere from 10 to 50 meters above the ground. The female typically lays two to three large white eggs. Chicks feed by delving deep into the adult's pouch to consume partially digested, regurgitated fish.

23-10-2019 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - PINK BACKED PELICAN (Pelecanus rufescens)

It is smaller and stockier than the common pelican, its plumage is light with a pinkish-gray hue. The primary and secondary feathers are chestnut gray. It measures 125-132 cm, with a wingspan of 215 to 290 cm and weight is 4 to 7 Kg.

The beak, legs and feet are pink. Adults have a tuft of longer feathers on their heads.

They carry out migratory movements depending on the rains and the abundance of food.

They form small breeding colonies of 20 to 500 pairs, which do not necessarily settle near water, and place their nests of branches on vegetation, which can be trees, bushes and mangroves. Often these colonies are made in the company of other large birds. They lay two to four slightly bluish white eggs.

Active during the day at first and last hour of the day, although they usually fish on full moon nights.

13-9-2017 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - PINK BACKED PELICAN (Pelecanus rufescens)

The Pink-backed Pelican (Pelecanus rufescens) is a member of the pelican family, distinguished by its relatively modest size. Adults range from 125 to 155 cm in length, with a wingspan of 2.15 to 2.9 meters, and weigh between 4 to 7 kilograms. The plumage is primarily grey and white, with a subtle pink hue on the back that is never as vivid as that of a flamingo. The bill, measuring 30 to 38 cm, is topped with yellow, and the pouch is typically greyish. During the breeding season, adults may sport elongated feather plumes on their heads.

To identify the Pink-backed Pelican, look for its grey and white plumage with a possible pinkish tint on the back. The yellow upper bill and greyish pouch are also key features. In comparison to the larger Great White Pelican, which shares its habitat, the Pink-backed Pelican is smaller and has greyish rather than white plumage.

This species thrives in a variety of aquatic environments, favoring tranquil backwaters with shallow waters. It is commonly found in freshwater lakes, swamps, large rivers with gentle currents, and seasonal pools. It can also be seen in reservoirs, seasonally flooded lands, and floodplains near river mouths, as well as alkaline and saline lakes and lagoons. Coastal presence is limited to bays and estuaries, as it seldom ventures onto the open seashore.

The Pink-backed Pelican is a resident breeder across Africa and southern Arabia. Historically, it was also found in Madagascar, but it has since been extirpated from the island.

This pelican is known to nest colonially in trees, reeds, or low bushes near water bodies, and occasionally on the ground on sandy islands and in mangroves. Nests are constructed close together in nesting trees, which are reused annually until the trees collapse. The species tends to roost in similar environments, including mangroves, sandy islands, cliffs, coral reefs, and sand dunes.

The nest of the Pink-backed Pelican is a substantial heap of sticks, situated anywhere from 10 to 50 meters above the ground. The female typically lays two to three large white eggs. Chicks feed by delving deep into the adult's pouch to consume partially digested, regurgitated fish.

The diet of the Pink-backed Pelican consists mainly of fish, including cichlids like Haplochromis and Tilapia, which can weigh up to 450 grams, though they typically range from 80 to 290 grams. Amphibians also form part of their diet. These pelicans often fish in groups to capture their prey.

The Pink-backed Pelican is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, indicating that it is not at immediate risk of widespread decline.