Spot-billed Pelicans at Garapadu, Andhra Pradesh, India
The Spot-billed Pelican found at Garapadu is relatively smaller than other Pelicans - mainly white, with a grey crest, hindneck and a brownish tail. Their pouch is pink to purplish and has large pale spots, and is also spotted on the sides of the upper mandible. The tip of the bill is yellow to orange.
Spot-billed Pelicans usually fish alone or in small flocks and predominantly feed on fish and at times eat small reptiles, amphibians, and aquatic crustaceans. They use their beaks to skim the water or simply dip their heads and necks below the water, collecting fish using their large, expandable bill-pouches - than theu squeeze out the water from the corners of their mouthes before swallowing their food.
When flying to their roosts or feeding areas Spot-billed Pelicans form small groups and fly in formation with steady flapping. The Spot-billed Pelicans are not migratory but may move within their range based on habitat changes and food availability.
Spot-billed Pelicans are colonial breeders or nest in colonies with other waterbirds, especially painted storks and the usual clutch include three to four eggs.
Outside their nests the Spot-billed Pelicans are silent - in their nests they tend to be vocal with their hisses, grunts or snap their bills - and maybe noisy during nesting time.
Garapadu, Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh India is at a distance of about 63 km from Vijayawada.
