Observations on the trend of the Pink-backed Pelican Pelecanus rufescens at breeding colonies, eastern Uganda

Abstract

The Pink-backed Pelican Pelecanus rufescens occurs in sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar and the southern Red Sea (del Hoyo et al. 1992). It has an extremely large range with a relatively stable population, making its conservation status of least concern (BirdLife 2013). P. rufescens has been known to breed in Uganda as early as 1939, with official records made in subsequent years (Din & Eltringham 1973, Pomeroy 2002, Nachuha 2007, Nachuha & John 2012). Breeding, particularly in eastern Uganda, starts in March when the main rains begin and ends in July. For the past seven years, P. rufescens has bred at mixed colony sites in eastern Uganda.