The spot-billed pelican or gray pelican breeds in Southern Asia from Southern Pakistan to Indonesia.
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| Spot-billed pelican in Udawalawe NP. |
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| At Kandy Lake. |
They are differentiated from other pelicans by the spots on their upper bill, grayer plumage and lack of bright colors.
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| Spots on upper bill. |
They are mainly white, with a gray crest and hind neck (the feathers on the hind neck are curly and form a grayish nape crest) and brown tail. The pouch is pink to purplish and has large pale spots. The tip of the bill is yellow to orange.
They only breed in peninsular India, Sri Lanka and Cambodia. It is listed as near threatened on the 2007 IUCN Red List.
I can't see a pelican without thinking of your Dad. "A funny old bird is the pelican . . . "
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