Pelican - ID?

New additions to the lake by the café. Species?

Juvenile Eastern White Pelicans (Pelecanus onocrotalus)

Ah, that would explain the scruffiness! Thanks

@BongoHardwood, The birds are not scruffy. Their feathers and wings are fully feathered just juvenile plumage.

How large is their pelican breeding group at Whipsnade? Any breeding success within the flock?

@Kifaru Bwana It’s been so long that the zoo no longer has pelicans! Can’t remember if they ever bred..

@BongoHardwood, that is too bad. I really do think iconic species like pelicans should be part of the collection and exhibited in a representative habitat part. Associate them with like the aquatic habitat of the hippo.

Same is true of other bird families' like flamingoes, ibises, storks and cranes. Even aviaries showcasing some of the songbirds both exotic and resident would enrich countryside zoo with large open expanses and space for animal exhibits.