St. James’s Park Pelicans: A Royal History

St. James’s Park’s pelicans are iconic, their presence dating back to 1664 when a pair was gifted to Charles II. Initially housed in an aviary near Birdcage Walk, their care has transitioned from the King’s Bird Keeper to the Royal Parks. While Great White Pelicans have been the norm, American brown pelicans sparked controversy in 1951. Currently, six pelicans—Gargi, Tiffany, Isla, Sun, Moon, and Star— reside in the park. Despite a belief that more than four pelicans lead to aggression towards other waterfowl, the current number remains. Notable past pelicans include ‘the Lady of the Lake,’ Astra and Khan from Russia, Louis from Louisiana, and Vaclav from Prague. Despite their long history, no pelicans have successfully bred in St. James’s Park, possibly due to the relatively small flock size. The birds are mostly captive, though some have escaped in the past. Feeding time, between 2:30 and 3:00 pm daily, attracts many visitors. While their diet mainly consists of fish, a notable incident involved a pelican swallowing a pigeon. Gargi, notably unclipped, is known for stealing fish from London Zoo. One pelican even famously crashed through a War Office window in the mid-20th century. The pelicans’ story is a blend of royal history, avian antics, and enduring London charm.

(Source: https://londonist.com/london/great-outdoors/st-james-park-pelicans)