Spot-billed Pelican

The spot-billed pelican, or grey pelican, breeds in southern Asia from southern Iran across India east to Indonesia, on large inland and coastal waters, especially large lakes. It is 125 to 152 cm long, weighs 4.1 to 6 kg and has a wingspan of 213 to 250 cm, fairly small for a pelican though often one of the largest native birds in the southern part of its range. It is mainly white, with a grey crest, hindneck and a brownish tail (Wikipedia, general species account).

At close range the spots on the upper bill, the lack of bright colours and the greyer plumage are distinctive. In some areas it nests in large colonies close to human settlements. It has no subspecies. Nationally Least Concern (Sri Lanka National Red List 2012).