Australia’s largest waterbird, with a bill that could hold a small country. The Australian Pelican boasts the longest beak of any bird in the world — up to 50 cm — and uses it like a net to scoop up fish. With a massive wingspan (over 2.5 metres) and a goofy gait on land, they’re equally comical and majestic. Pelicans form large breeding colonies and nest on the ground, often in remote wetland areas. They’re not endangered, but are sensitive to drought, pollution, and the availability of fish. A true icon of Australia’s waterways — big, bold, and surprisingly graceful.