Pelicans have lived in St. James’s Park since 1664 when they were presented to King Charles II by the Russian Ambassador. Currently, there are five Pelicans in the Park: four Great White Pelicans from Eastern Europe and one American White Pelican from Louisiana. Pelicans are considered social creatures and they can often be seen on park benches sitting alongside visitors. The pelicans are fed 12 pounds of fish plus a vitamin supplement each day, however, one greedy Pelican used to fly over to London Zoo in Regent’s Park and steal their fish for his lunch. Their usual diet preference is fish, but the pelicans became media celebrities in 2006 when one was caught on camera swallowing a London pigeon whole in front of a group of tourists. Regular visitors can see the Pelicans wandering around St. James’s Park ‘Duck Island’ and can observe feeding time at 2:30pm every day.
- St. James’s Park Pelicans
- www.royalparks.org.uk
- Underground: St. James’s Park or Westminster