MILANG, South Australia

AUSTRALIAN PELICAN
Pelecanus conspicillatus

The Australian Pelican is a huge bird with a wing-span up to 2.6m which is equally at home in the water and in the air. It is easily recognisable with its very large bill and pink bill-pouch and often can be seen sitting down on the sand with neck folded and head tucked in.

In the air on a fine day they can catch the rising thermals to soar to great heights. On the water when a shoal appears they work together to muster the fish and dip their bills in unison to scoop up the catch.

On the other hand if a fisherman along the foreshore of the Lake has some of his catch to spare there will often be a pelican ready and willing to assist with its disposal.

Although pelicans have nested in large numbers in the Milang area in the past this declined with the increase of European Carp in the Lake.