Australian Pelican

1.5-1.9 m; span 2.4-2.6 m. Huge black-and-white bird with very large bill and pink bill-pouch, red in mating displays. Female: smaller. Immature: black parts browner. Singles to flocks: swimming groups encircle fish, plunging heads in unison; single birds swim stealthily up to fish with head low, neck folded. On wing, looks like rotund flying-boat, head drawn back, bill resting on breast; note white panel on black upperwing, white V on rump. Flies in lines or Vs, with intervals of wingbeats and glides; flocks slow-wheel to great heights on flat, slender wings; skims over calm water in long, sailing glides. Perches on piles, logs, dead trees, light-stanchions; tame where fed.