Pelicans

Living near Duck Island are the Park's famous resident Pelicans, first introduced in 1664 as a gift from the Russian Ambassador. Regular visitors can see the Pelicans basking on their favourite rocks and getting fed fresh fish at 2:30pm every day.

There are currently five Pelicans in the Park; 3 Eastern (or Great) White Pelicans and one American White Pelican, which is distinguished by different colouring and a crest on its bill. They're gregarious, social creatures and there are numerous stories of their entertaining antics. One rather mischievous Pelican used to fly over to London Zoo in Regent's Park to steal their fish for his lunch and they're often seen climbing out of the lake to sit on the benches alongside visitors!