Pelicans are among the most distinctive and captivating birds, recognized globally for their large throat pouches and impressive stature. While adult pelicans are a familiar sight, the early life stages of their young are less commonly observed. This leads many to wonder about the specific terms and developmental journey of baby pelicans.
The Specific Term
Baby pelicans are most commonly called “chicks” or “nestlings.” A “hatchling” is also an accurate term for a newly emerged pelican from its egg. As they mature but are not yet fully independent, they might be called “juveniles.”
Growth and Development of Young Pelicans
Pelican chicks are altricial, meaning they are born helpless and require substantial parental care. Newly hatched chicks are naked, often pink, orange, or black depending on the species, and their eyes may be closed or slightly open. They are initially unable to move much or hold up their large heads. Within four to fourteen days, their skin darkens, and they develop a covering of white or grey down feathers.
Their characteristic large bills and throat pouches are present at birth, though initially soft. These bills are tipped with a hard egg tooth, which helps them break out of their shells. As they grow, down feathers are replaced by juvenile feathers, preparing them for movement and warmth. Flight feathers begin to develop, and by about 10 to 12 weeks, young pelicans are typically ready to fledge, meaning they can fly.
Parental Care and Nesting
Pelicans are social birds that nest in colonies, often on secluded islands or in dense vegetation to protect their young from predators. Both male and female pelicans build the nest, which can range from a simple ground depression to a structured heap of materials. Females typically lay one to six eggs, with two to three being common. Both parents share incubation duties by cradling eggs on or under their webbed feet, usually for about 30 days.
After hatching, both parents feed chicks by regurgitating partially digested fish onto the nest floor. As chicks grow, usually after about a week, they can put their heads directly into a parent’s pouch to feed. Young pelicans often gather in groups called “pods” or “crèches” around 25 days old, though parents feed only their own offspring. Parental care can extend for several months, with young pelicans remaining dependent on parents for food even after learning to fly.