Great white pelikan
African animals
The great white pelikans plumage is gleaming red, which is caused by beta-carotene contained in crustaceans. Just like flamingos, their food is coloring their feathers. However, the great white pelican is mostly known for its huge beak and the crop, which it can use as a fishing net.
Great white pelican
The great white pelicans plumage is gleaming red, which is caused by beta-carotene contained in crustaceans. Just like flamingos, their food is coloring their feathers. However, the great white pelican is mostly known for its huge beak and the crop, which it can use as a fishing net and which can contain up to 10 liters.
Pelicans live in great colonies, which has many advantages. When catching fish, their favorite food, they form a half moon, driving the fish in shallow waters where they can catch them easily. Another tactic is to dive into the water like an arrow, open the beak and use the crop as fishing net. All the fish will be swallowed as a whole.
Some populations of great white pelicans stay in Africa their whole life, however an estimate of 3.000 pelicans breed in South Europe.
Pelikan in Ree Park Safari
"...Did you know that pelikans are using their beak as fishing net, when they catch fisch in the sea?"
Overview
feedings
On the map you can find where the different animal feedings take place
