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FYI—Pelican Chicks at St. James Park

Posted by (Chicago) on

The pelicans at St. James's Park were one of the highlights of my first trip to London in 2024, so I thought I'd share this bit of good news for anyone else who enjoys visiting them.

For the first time in more than 360 years, pelican chicks have hatched in St. James's Park. Four chicks arrived late last month, marking a remarkable milestone for the park's historic pelican colony.

The Royal Parks are working with Blackpool Zoo, ZSL, and the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust to provide specialist care for the chicks. They are currently being protected in a secure area that is not accessible to visitors.

The chicks have not yet been named and are expected to take to the water at around three months old, when they'll begin joining the adult pelicans. Until then, visitors are being asked to respect their space and avoid disturbing them.

More information from The Royal Parks:

https://www.royalparks.org.uk/visit/parks/st-jamess-park/pelicans-st-jamess-park

A few of my pelican pics:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/8CBMencJSvdXBuHr6

Posted by
619 posts

So fun! My daughter and I enjoyed St James' park multiple times during our recent trip to London.

Posted by
2803 posts

That's exciting news! I was quite taken with the pelicans on my last trip there--came upon 5 just lounging in the middle of the walkway, surrounded, of course, by people determined to get right in their faces for photos...not me, those beaks were quite impressive.

Posted by
1048 posts

Thank you Carrie for this information. I just read about it in the online paper. St. James’s Park is going to be a certain stop for us on our last day in London. Hope we get to see these little things! ( Although I read they are really growing now and not so little anymore!)

Posted by
8977 posts

Thanks so much for the pelican chicks info. So, who determines their names, and does that effectively identify each individual bird?

Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve had this saying running through my head, “Pelican, pelican, his beak holds more than his belly can!”

Posted by
1048 posts

Cyn, my Dad (now passed) used to say that to me when I was a child. His version was

Pelican, pelican, great bird the pelican.
Its beak can hold more than its belly can
And I don’t know how in the Hell it can.

He always followed with the instructions that he didn’t want me “cussing” so when I said the rhyme, he wanted me to say “hellican” instead lol

He was a mess. Happy Father’s Day, Dad.

Posted by
4469 posts

Hi Cyn, I heard that The Royal Parks plan to name the baby pelicans once they're older, since they can't yet determine the birds' sex. They've been calling one of them Hercules, but they're not sure whether that name will stick. They're also open to name suggestions.

Posted by
3844 posts

Well yesterday I booked air to London in October so I consider my trip firm.

I am hoping to make St. James Park one of my places to visit.

Maybe by the time that I am there, the young Pelican Chicks will be out and about.

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