Abstract
The Spot-billed Pelican (Pelecanus philippensis) is a threatened species of Pelecanidae that was extirpated during the 20th century across much of its Asian geographic distribution, including in the Philippines and China. The idea that this species did not reside in China is in conflict with published reports from the early 20th century and data from museum specimens. Verification of additional museum specimens as Spot-billed Pelicans includes the first record of the species in Sichuan Province, over 600 km from the nearest coastline, and additional occurrence in November, December, and June within China. These verified specimens document the Spot-billed Pelican in China across eight months of the year (in all seasons), including five of the seven months of the typical breeding season. These data overlap with published reports of residency in coastal areas of China (particularly Fujian Province), and also suggest a wider (interior) past geographic distribution in China, contrasting with ideas that the species was restricted solely to coastal regions.
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