
An Australian Pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus attacking a Rainbow Lorikeet Trichoglossus moluccanus being fed by people
Author(s) -
Matthew Mo
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
australian field ornithology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2206-3447
pISSN - 1448-0107
DOI - 10.20938/afo38154156
Subject(s) - pelican , fishery , predation , geography , rainbow , zoology , biology , ecology , physics , quantum mechanics
Pelicans are generally piscivores, but occasionally prey on smaller waterbirds and other animals. I observed an Australian Pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus capture a Rainbow Lorikeet Trichoglossus moluccanus after both species had been attracted to people scattering seed for birds. The Pelican briefly caught the Lorikeet by the tail, but the Lorikeet escaped and flew away. To my knowledge, this is the first report of any pelican species capturing a parrot. It is unclear whether the Pelican was attempting to eat the Lorikeet.