Great White Pelican chicks at Shinobazu Pond are growing well. The chicks were first spotted on September 5, 2004. The newborn babies were dark gray to black in color.
The chicks are usually found on an island in Shinobazu Pond, but now that they've grown bigger, they're easier to see. Their body color has become lighter overall, and the undersides of their wings and bellies have become particularly whitish.
Feeding Great White Pelican takes place around 3 p.m. They are given fish near the American beaver enclosure, a short distance from the island. Previously, the parents of the chicks would take turns coming to the feeding area. Now, however, both parents come to get food, leaving the chicks on the island. Perhaps the chicks have grown big enough that they can be a little further away from their parents.
The parents regurgitate food to feed their offspring, but according to the zookeepers, opportunities to see this scene have decreased. The frequency of regurgitation has decreased, and instead, they seem to be feeding their offspring a large amount at once.

Today (December 3rd), when I went to check on them at feeding time, there were chicks on the island where the cormorants were lined up, but no adults. When I went to the feeding area... all the adults had "waiting-for-food" looks on their faces. They were waiting for animal keeper to come. So I went back to a place where I could see the island and observed the chicks, when the adults started to leave in small groups.
You won't see a scene where the chicks run up calling out "Mommy!" or "Daddy!" Instead, the chicks stay where they are. The adult birds have come ashore and are relaxing.
Anyway, I hope they grow up safely. If you come to Shinobazu Pond, please look for the chicks. If you can't see them, try moving a little further along the shore and you might be able to spot them.

・ Click here for Great White Pelican entry in Tokyo Zoo Net 's "Animal Encyclopedia" (links to its call and video are also available).

(December 3, 2004)