A large gathering of pelicans on rocks near the Murray River Mouth, South Australia.

There are seven species of the pelican world wide, with the Australian species being found also in New Guinea and western Indonesia. They inhabit freshwater, estuarine and marine wetlands and waterways including lakes, swamps, rivers, coastal islands and shores. They are predominantly fish eaters but will also scavenge where fishermen gut their catch. The large pouch under the bill is used as a net, to catch and hold the fish temporarily, until the bird can manoeuvre its catch into the correct position to swallow.

The Coorong contains Australia's largest, permanent breeding colony.