A native of central and southern Africa and also Madagascar, these birds can be found in coastal and wetland areas.

The plumage is pale greyish tinged with pinkish back and under-parts. The leg colour is variable, ranging from grey to yellow or reddish orange. Although this is not the largest pelican species they can still have an impressive wingspan of up to 2.6 meters and weigh as much as 7 kilograms. This bird's most conspicuous feature is its lower beak, which will hold up to 8 litres of water and fish.

Besides fish, these pelicans also eat invertebrates and amphibians. They will eat up to a kilogram of food in a day. They often feed in groups, scooping up the fish in their bills; filtering out the water before swallowing their prey.

They lay 2 to 3 large white eggs in a large stick nest built in the top of trees. These eggs will hatch after a 30-day incubation period. Sexual maturity is at 3-4 years and adults will breed for roughly six years on average.

This species is not currently threatened in the wild and is common throughout its range.