Pelicans are large waterbirds known for their characteristic pouch that they use to scoop up fish from the water. However, pelicans are opportunistic feeders and will eat other prey besides fish if given the chance. This leads to an interesting question – will pelicans eat birds if they have the opportunity?
Quick Answer
Yes, pelicans will eat birds if they can capture them. Although fish make up the majority of a pelican’s diet, they are also known to feed on amphibians, reptiles, crustaceans, and occasionally birds.
Pelican Diet
The diet of pelicans consists mainly of fish, but can vary somewhat between species. The main types of pelican species include:
- Brown pelican – feeds almost exclusively on fish and occasionally amphibians and crustaceans.
- Peruvian pelican – feeds on fish, squid and crayfish.
- Great white pelican – feeds on fish and sometimes amphibians and birds.
- American white pelican – feeds on fish and occasionally amphibians and birds.
- Pink-backed pelican – feeds on fish, especially sardines, along with crustaceans.
- Spot-billed pelican – feeds mainly on fish but also amphibians and aquatic insects.
- Australian pelican – feeds mainly on fish but also birds, crustaceans and tadpoles.
As seen above, most pelican species rely on fish as their primary food source. However, several species are known to supplement their diet with other prey like amphibians, crustaceans, and birds when the opportunity presents itself.
Hunting Capabilities
Pelicans are specially adapted for hunting fish, but do possess some traits that allow them to prey on birds as well:
- Large size – Pelicans are one of the largest flying birds, giving them the ability to overpower other birds in flight or on the water.
- Strong bill – A pelican’s bill may be up to 15 inches long and is strong enough to seize large fish as well as birds.
- Webbed feet – Webbed feet help pelicans swim and maneuver in the water to catch aquatic prey.
- Pouch – The elastic pouch of pelicans is used to scoop up many fish at once, but can also hold birds.
- Keen eyesight – Excellent vision allows pelicans to spot potential prey including nearby waterbirds.
These attributes enable pelicans to stalk and grab unwary birds either in shallow water or on the water’s surface. It also allows them to snatch seabirds resting on the water. They may even pirates prey from other birds in flight using their large bills.
Examples of Pelicans Eating Birds
There are some documented examples of pelicans preying on birds:
- Great white pelicans have been observed feeding on various types of ducks and grebes that they’ve caught swimming on the water.
- American white pelicans are known to take young goslings and ducklings from the surface of lakes and rivers.
- Brown pelicans have been seen preying on tired seabirds by floating near them on the waves and then snatching them.
- Australian pelicans may snap up silver gulls, cormorants and grebes when the opportunity presents itself.
While most pelicans live largely on fish diets, they are opportunistic foragers and will eat whatever prey they can capture. Their size, tools and flying ability give them the potential to prey on all sorts of water birds given the chance.
Why Pelicans Might Eat Birds
There are a few reasons why pelicans might be motivated to eat birds:
- Easy to catch – Waterbirds resting on the water can be easy targets for pelicans.
- Energy needs – Birds may provide an alternate food source with high fat and protein.
- Limited fish supply – When fish are scarce, pelicans may turn to other prey.
- Nesting needs – Pelicans may eat other waterbirds to gain nutrition for eggs and chicks.
- Opportunistic feeding – Pelicans will eat whatever prey they can catch and overpower.
Pelicans are wired to take advantage of readily available food sources. When the circumstances allow it, this may lead them to supplement their usual fish diet with easy-to-catch birds as well.
Risks to Birds
Birds potentially face these risks when pelicans are around:
- Seabirds sitting on the water may be snatched by swimming pelicans.
- Nesting birds and eggs near water could be taken by patrolling pelicans.
- Young chicks and juveniles are more vulnerable to being overpowered.
- Any injured or exhausted birds are at greater risk of pelican predation.
Healthy adult birds are generally safe from pelicans. But anything young, weak or easily accessible around waterways puts them at some degree of risk from pelican predation when food is scarce.
Ways Birds Might Avoid Pelican Predation
Birds have some defensive measures to avoid becoming pelican prey:
- Nesting far from areas frequented by pelicans.
- Not resting for long periods on the water surface.
- Maintaining vigilance and flying away at signs of potential threat.
- Nesting in trees or on cliffs rather than on the ground near water.
- Aggressively defending nests from approaching pelicans.
- Healthy adults staying fit to outfly pelicans.
- Juveniles staying close to parents for protection.
With proper precautions, most birds should be safe from the occasional threat of pelican predation. Only the most vulnerable birds are likely to fall prey to a hungry pelican on the hunt.
Conclusion
Pelicans are opportunistic predators that primarily eat fish, but will prey on birds when the chance arises. Several pelican species are known to supplement their diet with other waterbirds from time to time. Adult pelicans are capable hunters that can overpower weaker birds in or near water. Juvenile, injured and resting birds face the highest threat of being eaten. Healthy adult birds have defensive abilities that should allow them to evade pelicans in most cases. By being alert and staying in good physical condition, most birds can avoid falling victim when sharing the waterways with pelican populations.