Mystery bird: Peruvian pelican, Pelecanus thagus | @GrrlScientist

This Chilean mystery bird was long thought to be a subspecies of another, more common bird Peruvian pelican, Pelecanus thagus (synonym, Pelecanus occidentalis thagus), Molina, 1782, also known as the Chilean brown pelican or as the Chilean pelican, photographed in Concón, Valparaíso Region, Chile (South America). Image: Nick Athanas/Tropical Birding, 1 November 2008 (with permission, for GrrlScientist/Guardian use only) [velociraptorise]. Canon EOS 50D Question: This Chilean mystery bird was long thought to be a subspecies of another, more common bird, whilst other authorities still consider it a subspecies of that bird. What bird was that? Can you tell me what traits set this species apart so that many authorities to consider it to be a separate taxon? Can you name this bird's taxonomic family and species?Response: These are two Peruvian pelicans, Pelecanus thagus, a member of Pelecanidae, the pelican family. Pelicans are distinguished from all other birds by having...

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