Temporal variation in the behaviour of the Australian Pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus in an urban wetland environment

Abstract

The behaviour of the Australian Pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus was monitored over a 3-month period (August–October 1995) to determine the daily activity budgets at a man-made wetland in Cronulla, New South Wales. Data were collected on the proportion of the time-budgets devoted to performing behaviours (preening, roosting, foraging, and other). Time of day had a significant effect on behaviour, with the majority of Pelicans allocating the morning for preening and foraging, the middle of the day for foraging, and the afternoon for preening and roosting. In addition, early courtship behaviour was noted and compared with the courtship behaviour described in previous studies from rural localities in NSW.