Great White Pelican

Physical characteristics: One of the world’s largest and most conspicuous waterbirds. Its most distinctive feature is the large expandable skin pouch beneath the bill, which can hold water and fish and functions like a fishing net. The bare skin around the eye is pale pink to lilac and becomes brighter during breeding. The wingspan can exceed three metres.

Habitat and migration: It favours wetlands, large lakes and shorelines. In Kurdistan it is mainly a migratory visitor, with flocks stopping at lakes such as Dukan and Darbandikhan and at wetlands to rest and feed while travelling toward warmer regions.

Cooperative feeding: Great White Pelicans are highly social. Groups may form a line and drive fish toward the shore or shallow water before dipping their bills together to capture them.