Pink-backed Pelican
A large bill and a quiet waterside pose introduce a bird native to Africa.
A closer look, frame by frame.
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The details behind the discovery.
Medium-sized waterbirds native to sub-Saharan Africa are known for the soft blush of pink visible on their backs and rumps. Unlike the Coachella Valley in California—which they do not naturally inhabit—these birds thrive in African wetlands such as shallow lakes, marshes, and lagoons rich in fish and aquatic life. They often form large, sociable colonies, where pairs construct simple stick nests in trees or shrubs close to the water.
Their diet consists mainly of fish, which they scoop up with their large, flexible bills. They will also eat small amphibians and insects when available. Observing their feeding habits helps us understand how expertly adapted their bills and throat pouches are to catching and holding prey. In flight, Pink-backed Pelicans appear surprisingly graceful for their size, with broad wings that allow for efficient soaring and gliding.
These pelicans are relatively quiet but communicate through subtle body language and low grunts. By studying how Pink-backed Pelicans interact, feed, and breed, we better appreciate their ecological importance. Though you won’t find them thriving naturally in the Coachella Valley, understanding their behavior and habitats can deepen our knowledge of global biodiversity and the unique environments these remarkable birds call home.
