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Today we are familiarizing the bird belonging to Pelican Family, Spot-billed Pelican. In ‘Malayalam” vernacular the bird is called as “ Pullichundan Kothumbannam”. Scientific name is Pelecanus philippensis. Once the bird had a widespread distribution in South Asia, at present the range has been much reduced. Birds make some local movements, other populations sedentary. Breeding is apparently limited to South, West and East India, Sri Lanka and Cambodia and in Sumatra. Non-breeding season the bird has been recorded in Thailand, Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam. Habitat of the birds include marshes, estuaries, reservoirs, tanks, flooded fields, and lagoons. Requires large trees for nesting and perching. Normally in swamp forests or vegetation along the paddy fields. Diet mostly fish, and require about 1 kg per day. Normally feeds alone or in small group. Like most pelicans, it catches fish in its huge bill pouch while swimming at the surface. Birds may forage at night also. The bir
