Cambodia (B), India (B), Indonesia (B), Laos (NB), Myanmar (NB), Nepal (NB), Philippines (E) (NB), Sri Lanka (B), Thailand (NB), Vietnam (NB).
Vagrant to Bangladesh (E) (NB), China (mainland) (E) (NB), Malaysia, South Korea.
Once widespread in southern Asia, range now much reduced. Breeding now apparently limited to Sri Lanka and south-eastern India, though also suspected in Sumatra.
Population
Estimated population is 13,000 - 18,000 (2010) and decreasing.
Status NT
Human disturbance at breeding colonies and wetlands, extensive felling of nesting trees, hunting and poaching of eggs and chicks, habitat destruction and degradation through siltation, agricultural intensification, aquaculture development, drainage and conversion of wetlands, declines in wetland productivity as a result of pesticide use, and over-exploitation of fisheries, are the main threats.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Spot-billed Pelican (Pelecanus philippensis) [XC369411]
by Peter Boesman from Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Mysore, Mandya County, Karnataka, India (call)
Spot-billed Pelican (Pelecanus philippensis) [XC769895]
by id from Kancheepuram (near Thiruvidanthai), Tamil Nadu, India (drumming, tapping of beak)
Subspecies
Confusion in past with now obsolete Pelecanus roseus. Formerly included Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus), though now generally accepted that they are two quite separate species.
No subspecies.
Similar Species
Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus) which is larger, brighter white with orange pouch and bushy, curly crest, juvenile Great White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus) which is larger with darker head, neck and upperparts, paler lores and blackish flight feathers.
References
See References.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet