St James's Park - Pelicans

St James's Park - Pelicans The pelicans in St James's Park have recently become something of media celebrities - their greedy antics caught on camera and propelling them into the national papers! Here are some facts you might not know about these unusual central London residents:

There are five pelicans among the exotic birds resident in St James's Park (one of the eight Royal Parks)
One comes from Louisiana and four from Eastern Europe (but they get on well)
The pelicans were first introduced into St James's Park by the Russian Ambassador, who presented them to Charles II in 1664. The tradition continues - in 1977, the ambassador presented two pelicans from Astrakhan, (named Astra and Khan)
They are fed 12 pounds of fish, plus a vitamin supplement, each day, usually between 2.30 and 3.00 pm. Visitors are welcome to watch
Pelicans' normal diet is fish, caught in their large bills but in October 2006, one of the birds was photographed swallowing a London pigeon whole...