Pink-backed Pelican

Afrikaans name: Kleinpelikaan

Photo © Steven Herbert

Pelecanus rufescens

In South Africa you can see the White and Pink-backed Pelicans. The White Pelican is much bigger and the Pink-backed Pelican is more grey rather than white. They get their name from a pinkish tinge on their backs.

Although they are smaller than the White Pelican they still have a wingspan of nearly 3 metres. They weigh around 5 or 6 kg.

The pelican's bill is designed to scoop up fish and that is their main source of food. They do also eat frogs and other amphibians. Often they will go fishing as a group and it is amazing to see them working in unison.

The Pink-backed Pelican may be found in many different types of aquatic habitats. They normally breed and roost in trees but in the absence of trees they will breed and roost on the ground.

Pelicans will nest in trees if they are available. They make the nest from sticks and will sometimes use the same nest year after year. Sometimes it gets so big and heavy that it causes the branch to break and the nest falls to the ground.

The Pink-backed Pelicans eggs are large and white. Normally 2 to 3 eggs are laid.

Photo © Steven Herbert

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	41	Neopelicanus rufescens
2nd	41	Pelecanus rufescens
3rd	41	Pelecanus rufescens
4th	41	Pelecanus rufescens
5th	50	Pelecanus rufescens
6th	50	Pelecanus rufescens
7th	461	Pelecanus rufescens

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	41	Pink-backed Pelican
2nd	41	Pink-backed Pelican
3rd	41	Pink-backed Pelican
4th	41	Pink-backed Pelican
5th	50	Pinkbacked Pelican
6th	50	Pinkbacked Pelican
7th	461	Pink-backed Pelican

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	41	Klein-pelikaan
2nd	41	Klein Pelikaan
3rd	41	Klein Pelikaan
4th	41	Klein Pelikaan
5th	50	Kleinpelikaan
6th	50	Kleinpelikaan
7th	461	Kleinpelikaan

References and further reading

Two Oceans - Author: Branch, Griffiths, Branch and Beckley - Published: 2010 - Page: 356

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 26

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 15

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 104

Seabirds - Author: Peter Harrison - Published: 1983 - Page: 284

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 54

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 35

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 35

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 54

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 23

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 20

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 184

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 15

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 62

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 62

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 52

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 22

Freshwater Life - Author: C. Griffiths, J. Day & M. Picker - Published: 2015 - Page: 56

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 8

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 12

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 11

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 28

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 34

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 192

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 192

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 30

BirdLife South Africa

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List of South African Birds