Pelicans in St James’s Park: London’s Iconic Waterfowl and Their Home

When you think of pelicans in St James’s Park, large, graceful birds with pouches under their beaks that have lived in this London park for over 350 years. Also known as royal pelicans, they’re not just wildlife—they’re a living piece of London history, cared for by the Crown Estate since Charles II’s time. These birds don’t just wander in; they’re part of a carefully maintained tradition. Every day at 2:30 PM, crowds gather to watch them being fed, a ritual that’s been repeated for generations. It’s not a zoo show—it’s a quiet, unspoken agreement between the city and its most unusual residents.

The St James’s Park, a royal park in central London, bordered by Buckingham Palace, the Foreign Office, and the Mall. Also known as London’s oldest royal park, it’s one of the few places in the world where pelicans live freely in an urban setting, surrounded by government buildings and tourists. The lake where they swim is man-made, but it’s been shaped by centuries of royal design. You’ll find ducks, swans, and coots too, but the pelicans stand out—not just because of their size, but because they’ve been here longer than most Londoners. The current flock isn’t wild; they’re descendants of a gift from the Serbian ambassador in 1947, and each one is named and monitored. Some live for over 30 years. They’re fed fish, not bread, and their feeding times are posted so you won’t miss it.

The royal parks wildlife, a network of protected animals living in London’s six royal green spaces, including deer, foxes, and over 180 bird species. Also known as urban wildlife in central London, it’s one of the most unusual conservation stories in the world. Pelicans are the stars, but they’re part of a bigger picture. This park isn’t just a pretty spot for photos—it’s a working ecosystem. The pelicans help control fish populations, and their presence draws attention to how cities can coexist with nature. You don’t need a ticket to see them. No guided tour. Just show up, sit by the water, and wait. You’ll see people from all over the world, quiet and still, watching birds that have outlasted kings, wars, and entire neighborhoods.

What makes this more than just a tourist stop is how ordinary it feels. Locals bring their lunch. Kids point. Photographers wait for the exact moment a pelican dives. No one treats it like a spectacle—it’s just part of the day. And that’s why it works. The pelicans in St James’s Park aren’t there because they’re exotic. They’re there because London decided to keep them, and they’ve become as much a part of the city as the red buses and the Tube.