NT
Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis



Taxonomy

Taxonomic source(s)
del Hoyo, J., Collar, N.J., Christie, D.A., Elliott, A. and Fishpool, L.D.C. 2014. HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 1: Non-passerines. Lynx Edicions BirdLife International, Barcelona, Spain and Cambridge, UK.

IUCN Red List criteria met and history
Red List criteria met
Critically Endangered Endangered Vulnerable
- - -

Red List history
Year Category Criteria
2017 Near Threatened A2cd; C1
2016 Near Threatened A2cd
2012 Near Threatened A2cd
2008 Near Threatened A2c,d
2007 Near Threatened
2006 Vulnerable
2004 Vulnerable
2000 Vulnerable
1996 Vulnerable
1994 Vulnerable
1988 Threatened
Species attributes

Migratory status full migrant Forest dependency medium
Land-mass type continent
Average mass -
Range

Estimate Data quality
Extent of Occurrence (breeding/resident) 8,850,000 km2 medium
Extent of Occurrence (non-breeding) 10,700,000 km2 medium
Number of locations 11-100 -
Severely fragmented? no -
Population
Estimate Data quality Derivation Year of estimate
Population size 8700-12000 mature individuals medium estimated 2007
Population trend decreasing poor suspected -
Rate of change over the past 10 years/3 generations (longer of the two periods) 20-29% - - -
Generation length 15.4 years - - -
Number of subpopulations 2-100 - - -
Percentage of mature individuals in largest subpopulation 1-89% - - -

Population justification: S. Subramanya (in litt. 2006) has suggested that the population in South India now exceeds 5,000 birds owing to increases resulting from improved protection of the species, and the latest figures from Andhra Pradesh and Telangara suggest that there are >10,000 individuals in those states alone (H. Taher in litt. 2016). The global population is currently placed in the range 13,000-18,000 individuals globally, roughly equivalent to 8,700-12,000 mature individuals, though this may require revising upwards in the future.

Trend justification: The species declined rapidly during the 20th century, but in recent years the population appears to have stabilised, with at least some populations apparently now increasing in response to improved protection (P. Round in litt. 2006, S. Subramanya in litt. 2006, 2016, H. Taher in litt. 2016). The global population is suspected to have undergone a moderately rapid decline over the last three generations.


Country/territory distribution
Country/Territory Presence Origin Resident Breeding visitor Non-breeding visitor Passage migrant
Bangladesh extinct native yes
Cambodia extant native yes
China (mainland) extinct vagrant yes
India extant native yes yes
Indonesia extant native yes
Laos extant native yes
Malaysia extant vagrant
Myanmar extant native yes
Nepal extant native yes
Philippines extinct native yes
South Korea extant vagrant
Sri Lanka extant native yes
Thailand extant native yes
Vietnam extant native yes

Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA)
Country/Territory IBA Name
Bangladesh Sunderbans (East, South, West Wildlife Sanctuaries)
Cambodia Ang Tropeang Thmor
Cambodia Bassac Marsh
Cambodia Basset Marsh
Cambodia Boeung Chhmar / Moat Khla
Cambodia Boeung Prek Lapouv
Cambodia Boeung Veal Samnap
Cambodia Chhnuk Tru
Cambodia Lower Stung Sen
Cambodia Preah Net Preah / Kra Lanh / Pourk
Cambodia Prek Taek Sap
Cambodia Prek Toal
Cambodia Stung / Chi Kreng / Kampong Svay
Cambodia Stung Kampong Smach
Cambodia Stung Sen / Santuk / Baray
Cambodia Veal Srongae
India Amchang Hills
India Bauwwa Beel
India Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary
India Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park
India Big Tank (Peria Kanmai) and Sakkarakotai Kanmai
India Bordoibam-Bilmukh Bird Sanctuary
India Bordoloni - Sampora
India Chitragudi and Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary
India Corbett Tiger Reserve
India Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary and Godavari estuary
India D'Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary
India Deepor Beel Bird Sanctuary
India Dibang Reserve Forest and adjacent areas
India Dibru - Saikhowa Complex
India Dihaila Jheel and other wetlands
India Dudhwa National Park
India Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary
India Jamjing and Sengajan
India Jengdia Beel and Satgaon
India Jhanjimukh - Kokilamukh
India Kaliveli Tank and Yeduyanthittu estuary
India Karaivetti Wildlife Sanctuary
India Karanji Tank
India Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary and Girijapur Barrage
India Kaziranga National Park
India Keoladeo National Park and Ajan Bande
India Kokkare Bellur
India Kole Wetland
India Kolleru Lake Wildlife Sanctuary
India Krishnarajasagar Reservoir
India Kuarbari Dalani
India Kukkarahalli Tank
India Kullur Sandai Reservoir
India Kunthangulam Bird Sanctuary
India Kunthur - Kallur Lakes
India Lingambudhi Lake and environs
India Majuli
India Manas National Park
India Mangal Jodi
India Marine National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary
India Nalabana Bird Sanctuary (Chilika Lake)
India Narasambudhi Lake
India Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary
India Odiyur Lagoon
India Okhla Bird Sanctuary
India Orang National Park
India Pabho Reserve Forest
India Pabitora Wildlife Sanctuary
India Pani-Dihing Bird Sanctuary
India Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary
India Pulicat Lake
India Son Beel
India Suchindram Therur, Vembanoor
India Sulekere Lake
India Sultanpur National Park
India Telineelapuram
India Udaipur Lakes Complex
India Uppalapadu
India Vaduvoor Lake Bird Sanctuary
India Vandivoorand Kunnathur Tanks (Madurai)
India Vedanthangal and Karikili Bird Sanctuary
India Veeranam Lake
India Vettangudi Bird Sanctuary
India Watrap Periakulam and Virakasamuthrakulam
India Wellington Reservoir
India Wild Ass Wildlife Sanctuary
Indonesia Sembilang
Indonesia Way Kambas
Myanmar Ayeyarwady River: Myitkyina to Sinbo Section
Myanmar Bumphabum
Myanmar Chatthin
Myanmar Htamanthi
Myanmar Hukaung Valley
Myanmar Indawgyi Lake Wildlife Sanctuary and surroundings
Myanmar Kamaing
Myanmar Moyingyi
Myanmar Upper Mogaung Chaung basin
Myanmar Uyu River
Nepal Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve and Koshi Barrage
Philippines Candaba swamp
Philippines Lake Lanao
Philippines Liguasan marsh
Philippines Mount Hamiguitan (Tumadgo peak)
Sri Lanka Ampara
Sri Lanka Anaiwilundawa complex
Sri Lanka Anuradhapura
Sri Lanka Bellanwila-Attidiya
Sri Lanka Bundala complex
Sri Lanka Jafna Lagoon
Sri Lanka Kantale Tank
Sri Lanka Madura Oya
Sri Lanka Minneriya / Girithale / Kaudulla
Sri Lanka Padaviya
Sri Lanka Pimburettewa Tank
Sri Lanka Polonnaruwa
Sri Lanka Rugam Tank
Sri Lanka Senanayake Samudraya / Nilgala
Sri Lanka Sigiriya
Sri Lanka Udawalawa
Sri Lanka Yala
Thailand Inner Gulf of Thailand
Thailand Lower Central Basin
Vietnam Can Gio
Vietnam Dat Mui
Vietnam Kien Luong
Vietnam Nghia Hung
Vietnam U Minh Thuong
Vietnam Xuan Thuy

Habitats & altitude
Habitat (level 1) Habitat (level 2) Importance Occurrence
Artificial/Aquatic & Marine Artificial/Aquatic - Aquaculture Ponds suitable non-breeding
Artificial/Aquatic & Marine Artificial/Aquatic - Wastewater Treatment Areas suitable non-breeding
Artificial/Aquatic & Marine Artificial/Aquatic - Water Storage Areas (over 8ha) suitable non-breeding
Forest Subtropical/Tropical Moist Lowland major breeding
Marine Coastal/Supratidal Coastal Brackish/Saline Lagoons/Marine Lakes major breeding
Marine Coastal/Supratidal Coastal Brackish/Saline Lagoons/Marine Lakes major non-breeding
Wetlands (inland) Permanent Freshwater Lakes (over 8ha) major breeding
Wetlands (inland) Permanent Freshwater Lakes (over 8ha) major non-breeding
Wetlands (inland) Permanent Freshwater Marshes/Pools (under 8ha) major breeding
Wetlands (inland) Permanent Freshwater Marshes/Pools (under 8ha) major non-breeding
Wetlands (inland) Permanent Saline, Brackish or Alkaline Lakes suitable non-breeding
Wetlands (inland) Seasonal/Intermittent Freshwater Lakes (over 8ha) suitable non-breeding
Wetlands (inland) Seasonal/Intermittent Saline, Brackish or Alkaline Lakes and Flats suitable non-breeding
Altitude   Occasional altitudinal limits  

Threats & impact
Threat (level 1) Threat (level 2) Impact and Stresses
Agriculture & aquaculture Annual & perennial non-timber crops - Agro-industry farming Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Slow, Significant Declines Medium Impact: 6
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Agriculture & aquaculture Livestock farming & ranching - Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Agriculture & aquaculture Marine & freshwater aquaculture - Scale Unknown/Unrecorded Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Biological resource use Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources - Unintentional effects: (large scale) [harvest] Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Slow, Significant Declines Medium Impact: 6
Stresses
Indirect ecosystem effects
Biological resource use Hunting & trapping terrestrial animals - Intentional use (species is the target) Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Slow, Significant Declines Medium Impact: 6
Stresses
Species mortality
Biological resource use Hunting & trapping terrestrial animals - Persecution/control Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Rapid Declines Medium Impact: 6
Stresses
Species mortality
Biological resource use Logging & wood harvesting - Unintentional effects: (large scale) [harvest] Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation
Energy production & mining Renewable energy Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Rapid Declines Medium Impact: 6
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Human intrusions & disturbance Recreational activities Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Slow, Significant Declines Medium Impact: 6
Stresses
Species disturbance
Invasive and other problematic species, genes & diseases Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases - Unspecified species Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation
Invasive and other problematic species, genes & diseases Viral/prion-induced diseases - Avian Influenza Virus (H5N1 subtype) Timing Scope Severity Impact
Future Majority (50-90%) Rapid Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Species mortality
Pollution Agricultural & forestry effluents - Type Unknown/Unrecorded Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Slow, Significant Declines Medium Impact: 6
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation
Residential & commercial development Commercial & industrial areas Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Slow, Significant Declines Medium Impact: 6
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Residential & commercial development Housing & urban areas Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Slow, Significant Declines Medium Impact: 6
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion

Utilisation
Purpose Scale
Food - human subsistence

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/spot-billed-pelican-pelecanus-philippensis on 26/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 26/12/2024.