SAFRING results

Pelicans (Family Pelicanidae)

A ringing history of Pelicans in southern Africa, 1948-2002

There are six species in the Pelican family with 2 species in southern Africa.

Ringing totals and capture methods

The Pelicans are large aquatic birds, so very few have been ringed. Mainly chicks have been ringed; adults are not easily caught.

Few Pelicans have been recovered or resighted/recaptured, although recent colour ringing of White Pelicans is resulting in an increase in resighting records.

Individual species ringing histories

• 41 Pinkbacked Pelican Pelecanus rufescens
• 42 White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus

41 Pinkbacked Pelican Pelecanus rufescens

Underhill, LG, Tree, AG, Oschadleus, HD & Parker, V. 1999. Review of Ring Recoveries of Waterbirds in Southern Africa. Cape Town: Avian Demography Unit.