During the current national outbreak of avian influenza, we have been advised by the Animal and Plant Health Agency to move the pelicans of St James’s Park to their enclosure on Duck Island as a precaution. We want to reassure the public that all six pelicans are healthy, and we hope that they will be back out and about preening themselves by the lake, soon.
During the avian influenza outbreak we have been carrying out enhanced monitoring of our waterbodies across all parks to check for signs of illness and to ensure that any carcasses are removed immediately. To date, we have not been alerted to any nearby outbreaks of the disease, and we’ve not observed avian influenza in the birds that frequent the waterbodies.
The public can assist our efforts by not feeding or touching wildlife, and reporting any sick or dead birds seen in the Royal Parks to 0300 061 2000 or via email hq@royalparks.org.uk
For more information on avian flu visit Avian influenza (bird flu) - GOV.UK
First introduced to the park in 1664 as a gift from the Russian Ambassador, over 40 pelicans have since made the park home.
See much-loved current residents - Isla, Tiffany and Gargi - and our recent new additions - Sun, Moon and Star - basking on their favourite rocks and being fed fresh fish between 2:30pm and 3:00pm every day, next to Duck Island Cottage. (Please note that during the pandemic we are feeding them away from public view)
The pelicans are free to roam but rarely stray far from the lake. Look out for the pelicans catching fish from the lake and swimming and preening together.
Pelicans are outgoing, sociable creatures. One rather mischievous pelican used to fly over to London Zoo in The Regent's Park to steal fish for lunch and they will often sit on park benches next to visitors!
In 2015 Royal London became our official pelican partner, helping to keep the pelicans healthy and well fed. Thanks to the partnership, we can also provide new information in the park about the pelicans, as well as education materials and workshops for schools.
Pelican facts
- Pelicans have the second largest wingspan of all living birds (after the great albatrosses) ranging from 226cm to 360cm
- Adults have pure white plumage, a bare pink facial patch around the eye and pinkish legs
- Males are larger than females, and have a long beak that grows in a downwards arc, as opposed to the shorter, straighter beak of the female
- Adult males weigh from 9 to 15kg. Females are considerably smaller and weigh from 5.4 to 9kg
Discover more...
 | PodcastThe Pelicans of St. James's Park 30th April 2020 |
| VideoFirst 'virtual' feeding of the pelicans 7th May 2020 |
