Spot-billed Pelican

Identification

The spot-billed pelican is fairly small for a pelican, measuring 125–152 cm long with a wingspan of 213 to 250 cm. At a distance, it can be difficult to differentiate from other pelicans in the region, but close inspection reveals distinctive features: characteristic spots on the upper mandible, notably greyer plumage than relatives, and a general lack of bright colours. The bird is mainly white with a grey crest, hindneck, and brownish tail. The feathers on the hind neck are curly and form a greyish nape crest. Its large pouch is pink to purplish with pale spots, while the bill tip is yellow to orange. In breeding plumage, the skin at the base of the beak darkens and the orbital patch turns pink. Young birds lack the distinctive bill spots until after their first year, and do not acquire full adult breeding plumage until their third year.

Range & Habitat

The spot-billed pelican breeds in peninsular India, Sri Lanka, and Cambodia, with some Indian birds wintering in the Gangetic plains. The species is not migratory but makes local movements, becoming more widely distributed during the non-breeding season. It favours shallow lowland freshwaters and is a colonial breeder, often nesting in the company of other waterbirds. Nests are built on low trees near wetlands and sometimes near human habitations.

Historically abundant across much of southern Asia, the species has suffered significant declines. Populations in Southeast Asia, including parts of China and the Philippines, are now extinct or severely depleted. However, populations in southern India are thought to be rising, with increased protection enabling recovery. The species' conservation status was upgraded from vulnerable to near threatened in 2007.

Behaviour & Diet

These pelicans are generally silent birds, though they produce hisses, grunts, and bill-snaps at their nests. Like all pelicans, they catch fish using their enormous bill pouch while swimming at the surface. Unlike the great white pelican, they do not form large feeding flocks and typically fish singly or in small groups, though they may sometimes line up to drive fish towards shallow water. When flying to roosts or feeding areas, small groups move in formation with steady wing beats, and during the hottest part of the day they often soar on thermals.

Best Time & Places to See It

Peninsular India offers the most reliable opportunities for viewing spot-billed pelicans, particularly in areas with shallow freshwater lakes and wetlands where breeding colonies may be found near human settlements. Sri Lanka and Cambodia also host populations. The non-breeding season sees more widely dispersed birds, potentially increasing encounter chances beyond core breeding areas. Local knowledge of known breeding sites and wetlands will significantly improve your chances of observation.

Photography Tips

The spot-billed pelican's distinctive grey and white plumage, combined with its characteristic bill spots and crest, makes it a rewarding photographic subject. When photographing at colonies, approach carefully to avoid disturbing nesting birds. The pale coloration requires careful exposure metering to preserve detail in white feathers while maintaining contrast. Capture the birds in flight during their regular movements between roosts and feeding areas—their formation flying and thermal soaring behaviour provide dynamic compositional opportunities. Close-up shots of the head reveal the diagnostic spots on the upper mandible, pink pouch, and grey crest plumage that distinguish this species from congeners.