diagnostics
135-15 cm, 4.9-6 kg. Sexes alike in plumage colouration. Smaller and greyer than Great White Pelican P. onocrotalus, with greyer and less contrasting remiges; also differs in habit of perching regularly in trees. Crown pale grey with distinctive grey crest. Underparts pale, often faintly washed pink or yellow. Mantle, back and rump pale grey, with pinkish tinge (difficult to observe). Breast has stiff, lanceolate feathers. Tail greyish white. Bill yellow with yellow-red nail. Pouch deep yellow. Eye red or brown, surrounded by bare greyish to flesh-coloured skin. Legs and feet greyish pink to yellow. Bill and facial skin briefly become more flushed and colourful in pre-breeding period. Non-breeding birds are generally duller, have shorter crests and lack a pink tinge to plumage. Juvenile duller; initially mottled brown, with grey bill, greenish grey pouch, and pinkish grey feet (Ryan 2005).
