wetlands
a publication of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
Vol 10 No 6
Surprise visit by a Very Important Pelican

Birds of Wetland Project II

Art in the Wetlands

Celebrate Nature

A 'Sungei' Runs Through It

HSBC/NYAA Youth Environmental Award 2005

Bird Flu: Frequently Asked Questions		  
Surprise visit by a VIP
(Very Important Pelican)
to Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
Tay Soon Lian
conservation officer

Not too long ago on a quiet evening, I was at one of my favourite haunt in SBWR, Platform 2. With its promised warm sunsets and many raptor sightings, the evening’s still air seems to slow down everything, anticipating the end of another day. As I stood there “one with nature”, the stillness was broken by a lone silhouette in the dusky evening sky. Its slow rhythmic flight towards Johor Bahru over Pulau Buloh was somewhat unusual. With the aid of my “magnified eyes”, I realised it was a pelican. A pelican? What is a pelican doing here, in our air space?!
There are 8 species of pelican in the world, with two species found in South East Asia - the Great-white Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotatus) and the Spotbilled Pelican (Pelecanus philippensis).
“Oh, a wondrous bird is the pelican!
His bill holds more than his belican.
He can take in his beak,
enough food for a week.
But I’m damned if I know how the helican”

Dixion Lanier Merritt (1879-1972)

The pelican spotted was indeed the Spot-billed Pelican. They prefer lakes, lagoons, large rivers, estuaries, mudflats and forests. These pelicans are also found in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Myanmar, Indochina, Peninsula Malaysia (formerly common), Java and the Philippines.

For many weeks this solitary pelican was sighted feeding within Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, they feed mainly on fish and were even bold enough to come close to the SBWR’s Main Bridge.

Speculations were made that this specimen is an escapee from the Singapore Zoological Gardens or the Jurong BirdPark. Weeks after this solitary pelican made its appearance in SBWR, three juveniles and a Great-white pelican were sighted at Kranji Reservoir.



Like all big birds, the four pelicans with the Great-white pelican entertained us with their précised formation aerial displays. Escapee or not, they are still wild birds flying freely and making SBWR and its vicinity its refuelling stations. At the same time, they constantly provide some excitement for visitors and staff alike.

Population of these two pelicans are diminishing, due to the destruction of their natural habitats, especially for the Spot-billed pelican which is placed under “Vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List 2004. Their dramatic take-offs and graceful aerial displays will be remembered for a long time...
   
© Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve