The spot-billed pelican or gray pelican is a member of the pelican family. It breeds in southern Asia from southern Iran across India east to Indonesia. It is a bird of large inland and coastal waters, especially large lakes. At a distance they are difficult to differentiate from other pelicans in the region although it is smaller but at close range the spots on the upper mandible, the lack of bright colours and the greyer plumage are distinctive. In some areas these birds nest in large colonies close to human habitations.
Region
South and Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
It frequents large inland lakes, reservoirs, slow-moving rivers, brackish lagoons, and coastal estuaries. Birds often select wetlands with scattered tall trees for roosting and nesting, including village groves and temple compounds. They forage over open water and along shallow margins, sometimes exploiting fish-rich aquaculture ponds. Colonies are typically located near permanent water with reliable fish stocks.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This large pelican scoops fish with an expandable gular pouch and often forages cooperatively, herding fish into shallows. It frequently nests in tall trees near villages and temple groves, sometimes in mixed colonies with herons and cormorants. The spotted upper mandible and generally grey tones help separate it from other regional pelicans.
Breeding plumage, Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, India
Flocks fly in formation
Nesting along with painted storks
In flight at Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Karnataka, India
Nesting on an artificial platform at Uppalapadu, Andhra Pradesh
Temperament
social and gregarious
Flight Pattern
strong flier with steady wingbeats, often soaring and traveling in lines or V-formations
Social Behavior
Highly colonial, nesting in tall trees often alongside storks, herons, and cormorants. Pairs build bulky stick nests and both sexes incubate and feed the young. Outside the breeding season, forms large communal roosts and often forages cooperatively.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Generally quiet away from colonies. At nesting sites it gives deep guttural grunts, croaks, and hisses; chicks produce higher-pitched squeals.
