skip to main content
The Royal Parks web site uses cookies. By browsing you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Read our cookie policy
  • Home
  • Media Centre
  • Careers
  • Shop
  • Contact us
  • searchsearch
The Royal Parks menu
  • Parks
    • Hyde Park
    • Kensington Gardens
    • Richmond Park
    • Bushy Park
    • St James's Park
    • The Green Park
    • The Regent's Park and Primrose Hill
    • Greenwich Park
    • Brompton Cemetery
    • Victoria Tower Gardens
  • What's on
    • Help Nature Thrive
    • Upcoming events
    • Latest news
    • Blog
    • The Royal Parks Podcast
    • Self guided walks
    • Learn Online
    • The Great Exhibition Virtual Tour
    • Sign up to our Newsletter
    • Event Feedback
  • Managing the parks
    • Park management plans
    • Park regulations, legislation and policies
    • Park strategies
    • Holding events in the Royal Parks
    • Cycling in the Royal Parks
    • Conservation and improvement projects
    • Consultations
    • Licences and permits
    • Policing in the Royal Parks
    • Visitor satisfaction research
  • Support
    • Make a donation
    • Give a significant gift 
    • Leave a gift in your Will 
    • Run, cycle or swim for the parks
    • Hire The LookOut, Hyde Park
    • Become a partner
    • Corporate volunteering
    • Tributes in your local park
  • Learn
    • Learn in our Central London parks
    • Learn in The Regent's Park
    • Learn in Greenwich Park
    • Learn in Richmond Park
    • Learn in Bushy Park
    • Learn in Brompton Cemetery
    • Learn Online
    • Urban Tree Festival School Challenge
    • Green Futures project
  • Get involved
    • Careers
    • The Royal Parks Horticultural Apprenticeship Scheme
    • Volunteer with us
    • Mission Invertebrate
    • The Royal Parks in World War I
    • Play in the Park
    • Photo competition winners
    • Green Flag Awards
  • About us
    • Who we are
    • What we do
    • Procurement
    • Partner organisations
    • Publications
    • Friends of The Royal Parks
    • Contact us
    • Modern Slavery Statement
  • Donate
searchSearch
  • The Royal Parks
  • Parks
    arrow_drop_down
    • Hyde Park
    • Kensington Gardens
    • Richmond Park
    • Bushy Park
    • St James's Park
    • The Green Park
    • The Regent's Park and Primrose Hill
    • Greenwich Park
    • Brompton Cemetery
    • Victoria Tower Gardens
  • What's on
    arrow_drop_down
    • Help Nature Thrive
    • Upcoming events
    • Latest news
    • Blog
    • The Royal Parks Podcast
    • Self guided walks
    • Learn Online
    • The Great Exhibition Virtual Tour
    • Sign up to our Newsletter
    • Event Feedback
  • Managing the parks
    arrow_drop_down
    • Park management plans
    • Park regulations, legislation and policies
    • Park strategies
    • Holding events in the Royal Parks
    • Cycling in the Royal Parks
    • Conservation and improvement projects
    • Consultations
    • Licences and permits
    • Policing in the Royal Parks
    • Visitor satisfaction research
  • Support
    arrow_drop_down
    • Make a donation
    • Give a significant gift 
    • Leave a gift in your Will 
    • Run, cycle or swim for the parks
    • Hire The LookOut, Hyde Park
    • Become a partner
    • Corporate volunteering
    • Tributes in your local park
  • Learn
    arrow_drop_down
    • Learn in our Central London parks
    • Learn in The Regent's Park
    • Learn in Greenwich Park
    • Learn in Richmond Park
    • Learn in Bushy Park
    • Learn in Brompton Cemetery
    • Learn Online
    • Urban Tree Festival School Challenge
    • Green Futures project
  • Get involved
    arrow_drop_down
    • Careers
    • The Royal Parks Horticultural Apprenticeship Scheme
    • Volunteer with us
    • Mission Invertebrate
    • The Royal Parks in World War I
    • Play in the Park
    • Photo competition winners
    • Green Flag Awards
  • About us
    arrow_drop_down
    • Who we are
    • What we do
    • Procurement
    • Partner organisations
    • Publications
    • Friends of The Royal Parks
    • Contact us
    • Modern Slavery Statement
  •  
  • Donate
    • Home
    • Media Centre
    • Careers
    • Shop
    • Contact us
  • Press Releases
  • 

Three new pelicans fit the bill in St James’s Park

Published Monday 15 July 2019

Three Great White Pelicans, gifted from Prague Zoo, have made St James’s Park in London their new abode.

The pelicans – named Sun, Moon and Star – arrived in the park towards the end of May but have been hidden from public view whilst they acclimatise to their new surroundings. During this time, they were closely monitored by The Royal Parks’ (TRP) Senior Wildlife Officer, Hugh Smith, to ensure they were feeding well, before their release on the lake today (15 July) to join the park’s three resident pelicans – Isla, Tiffany and Gargi.

Pelicans have been a feature of St James’s Park since 1664 when the Russian Ambassador presented them to King Charles II.  Since then over 40 pelicans have made St James’s Park, one of London’s eight Royal Parks, their home. The flock are fed fresh fish, usually roach and whiting, at 2.30pm everyday by the wildlife officer, and their favourite hangout is Pelican rock in the middle of the lake.

Hatched in February, the new pelicans are nearing their adult size and within the next six months will turn completely white. The males, Moon and Sun are brothers, and Star - so called because of the spot on her forehead - is a female.

Hugh Smith, Senior Wildlife Officer for The Royal Parks, predicts it will take a few weeks for the two flocks to come together: “At first we are expecting minimal interaction between the new and established pelicans. There will be a period of adjustment as we are putting three relatively tame birds with three semi-wild birds.

“I don’t think there will be any disagreements, just a bit of suspicion whilst they get to know each other. It won’t be long before the new additions will be using Pelican rock because it’s the obvious place to roost.”

The latest arrivals were hand reared in Prague Zoo, and TRP Senior Wildlife Officer Hugh has been attempting to reduce their tameness by keeping human contact to a minimum and only entering the pen to feed them and clean the enclosure.

“The resident pelicans at St James’s Park are semi-wild. Apart from feeding, and the odd vet visit, interaction with people is almost non-existent.

“Pelicans generally choose to stay on the lake and not wander, because this is where they are happiest. Occasionally they like to amble along the paths, and if this happens, we would like to remind the public not to feed or touch them, and to give them space. We want to reduce their tameness, not encourage it. Also, the pelicans are fed exclusively on fresh roach and whiting so it’s unlikely the general public would have appropriate food on them anyway.”

Director of Prague Zoo, Miroslav Bobek, said: “We are very honoured to help St James’s Park in London keep this 350 year tradition alive. We know Sun, Moon and Star will have a very happy life there with the resident pelicans.’

If you would like to find out more about the pelicans and uncover more interesting facts about the historic landscape, you can join The Royal Parks Learning team on their monthly walk ‘Hidden Stories of St James’s Park.’



Share:
  • St James's Park
Star - the female pelican
One of the three new pelicans
New pelican gifted from Prague
Sign in St James's Park requesting that people do not feed or touch the pelicans
Star - the female pelican
One of the three new pelicans
New pelican gifted from Prague
Sign in St James's Park requesting that people do not feed or touch the pelicans

Help us improve our website by providing your feedback.

Website user survey

close

search
Explore the Royal Parks
  • Hyde Park
  • Kensington Gardens
  • Richmond Park
  • Bushy Park
  • St James's Park
  • The Green Park
  • The Regent's Park and Primrose Hill
  • Greenwich Park
  • Greenwich Park Revealed - Park Restoration Project
  • Brompton Cemetery
  • Victoria Tower Gardens
  • Grosvenor Square Garden
Support the parks
  • Make a donation
  • Give a significant gift 
  • Leave a gift in your Will 
  • Run, cycle or swim for the parks
  • Hire The LookOut, Hyde Park
  • Become a partner
  • Corporate volunteering
  • Tributes in your local park
Media Centre
  • Press Releases
  • Royal Parks News Permit
  • Filming and photography
  • Royal Parks Image Library
  • News Archive
  • Trooping the Colour media accreditation
About us
  • Who we are
  • What we do
  • Procurement
  • Partner organisations
  • Publications
  • Friends of The Royal Parks
  • Contact us
  • Modern Slavery Statement
Connect with us
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Instagram
Watch our videos on YouTube
The Royal Parks

The Royal Parks is a registered charity (No. 1172042) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England & Wales no. 10016100 (VAT No. 261 4640 19)

Copyright © The Royal Parks 2016-2022 | Head Office: The Old Police House, Hyde Park, London. W2 2UHTerms & Conditions | Privacy Policy

close

Subscribe to our eNewsletter today

Be the first to hear our latest news and read about upcoming events, learning and volunteering opportunities, fundraising and park improvement projects when you sign up to our mailing list.

Aerial view of Regents