GREAT WHITE PELICAN  
Pelecanus onocrotalus

iVubu, iFuba (Zulu) Witpelikaan (Afrikaans)

HABITAT
The estuaries and lakes of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park and the pans on the floodplains of the Pongola and Usutu rivers.

TYPE
A very large white bird with a long bill and yellow pouch attached to the lower mandible. Flight feathers are black. The bill is yellowish grey. The eyes are red to red brown. It is awkward on the ground but an effortless flyer. It is usually seen in large flocks flying from one location to another in extended V formations or feeding in unison in groups or rafts that seek to encircle schools of fish.

FOOD
They live on fish and crustaceans which they catch in their pouches while scooping their bills through the water. They can swallow fish as large 3kgs.

BREEDING
Breeding takes place between April and August. The nest is a scrape in the ground lined with grass, sticks and feathers. Usually two chalky white over pale blue eggs are laid but normally only the stronger chick survives.

STATUS
It is a common resident in the areas where it breeds and nomadic elsewhere.