Pelican Chicks Hatch in London's St. James's Park for First Time in Over 360 Years

St. James's Park in London is celebrating a rare event: the hatching of pelican chicks for the first time in over three centuries. Four baby pelicans were born in May, a development described by park manager Mark Wasilewski as a "breakthrough moment." These young birds have now emerged from a private rearing area to join the adult pelicans on the park's lake, offering visitors a chance to see the youngest members of the flock.

Pelicans have been a feature of St. James's Park since 1664, when they were introduced as a gift from the Russian Ambassador. Despite their long presence in the park, successful breeding has historically been rare, with no chicks successfully hatched for approximately 362 years until this recent event.

The four chicks, still without names, spent their initial 12 weeks in a protected space before being integrated with the adult population. Images show the young pelicans, distinguishable by their dark brown feathers which will gradually turn white over the next year, interacting with the larger birds. One young pelican has been observed testing its wings, flying between rocks in the lake.

Park wardens are continuing to monitor the chicks, with plans to weigh and measure their wing lengths to determine their genders. Wasilewski expressed anticipation for watching the chicks grow and develop their unique characters as they integrate with the wider flock. He also urged park visitors to maintain a respectful distance from the young pelicans, keep dogs on leashes near the lake, and avoid causing any distress to the birds.

Since their introduction in the 17th century, more than 40 pelicans have resided in St. James's Park.