How to Draw a Pelican (Easy Step by Step)
A pelican is a funny, friendly bird to draw because of its big beak and pouch. You only need a few simple shapes: curvy lines, a bowl, a leaf shape, and a triangle. Once the beak and pouch look right, the rest falls into place.
- Easy
- 12 minutes
- 7 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawingIn this article (7 sections)
How to draw a pelican step by step
How to Draw a Pelican · tinyhandscreate.com
Step 1: Head, neck and back
Start with a small round bump for the head near the top. From the left side of the head, draw a short curve out to the left. Then curve down the neck and sweep into a long, rounded back that ends in the lower right.
Step 2: The beak line
Draw one straight line along the bottom of the beak, going from the tip on the left in toward the head. This is the pelican's mouth.
Step 3: Pouch and belly
Under the beak, draw a big curvy bowl shape for the pouch. Then draw a line from the pouch down into a round belly that sweeps across the bottom and meets the end of the back.
Step 4: The wing
Inside the body, draw a big leaf shape with a point on the right. Add one short curved line inside it for a feather.
Step 5: The tail
At the back of the body on the right, draw a small triangle that sticks out like a little flag.
Step 6: Legs and feet
Draw two short straight lines going down from the belly for legs. At the bottom of each leg, draw a flat oval shape for a foot.
Step 7: The eye
Add a small dot for the eye on the head, just above where the beak begins.
All done!
Go over your lines with a marker, then color it in.
Finished your pelican? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a dolphin or how to draw a shark next.
Tips for drawing a pelican
- Draw the beak long and a little curved, and start it right where the head meets the neck so it looks attached.
- Make the pouch a big bowl shape that hangs under the beak. Do not worry if it is not perfect, since a baggy pouch looks natural.
- Keep the legs short and straight, and draw the feet as flat little ovals so the pelican looks like it is standing.
Free pelican coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this pelican coloring page at full size and print it. It is the same drawing you just learned, with clean lines ready for crayons or markers.
How to color your pelican drawing
Try white or light gray for the body, a yellow or orange beak and pouch, and pale blue for the wing. For a creative twist, draw a little fish peeking out of the pouch.
Pelican fun fact for kids
A pelican's pouch can hold several gallons of water when it scoops up fish. The bird drains the water out before it swallows.
Questions about drawing a pelican
What shapes do I need to draw a pelican?
You need a small round bump for the head, a long curve for the neck and back, a long beak, a bowl shape for the pouch, a round belly, a leaf shape for the wing, and a small triangle for the tail.
How do I make my pelican look cuter?
Make the eye a bit bigger and put it close to the beak. A rounder belly and a very big pouch also make the pelican look sweet and silly.
Why does a pelican have such a big pouch?
The pouch works like a fishing net. The pelican scoops up water and fish, then lets the water drain out and swallows the fish.
