How Did Pelicans End Up in St James’s Park?

Did you know there are Pelicans in St James's Park? How did they even get there? 

St James's Park got its pelicans through a diplomatic gift from Russia in 1664. The Russian ambassador presented them to King Charles II in 1664, making the park home to pelicans for over 350 years.

The gift wasn't as unusual as it might seem today - Charles I had previously kept aviaries in the park, so there was already a tradition of exotic birds there. The location of the former aviaries is even commemorated in the name of nearby Birdcage Walk.

Over 40 pelicans have lived in the park since 1664, though the current residents aren't descendants of the original Russian birds. In 2013, three Eastern White pelicans arrived as a gift from Prague, and today, six pelicans call the park home, five of which were gifts from Prague.

There's even a Cold War footnote to the story. During the 20th century, a US Ambassador, not wanting to be outdone by his Soviet counterpart, also gifted American pelicans to the park. However, they didn't get along well with their Russian counterparts and seemed to struggle.

The pelicans remain one of St James's Park's most beloved attractions. They are often seen basking on Duck Island in the lake at the heart of London.

St James’s Park

St James's Park is London's oldest and most royal park. Located in the heart of Westminster, it covers 23 hectares (57 acres).

The park has a fascinating history that spans centuries. The area was named after a 13th-century leper hospital dedicated to St James the Less, and in the 13th century, it was initially a remote, boggy, marshy water meadow. Henry VIII acquired the land in the 1530s and built a hunting lodge on one side, which eventually became St James's Palace.

King Charles II transformed the park dramatically after the Restoration in 1660. Originally marshland, it was landscaped in an elaborate and formal manner during Charles II's rule (1660-85). Charles II planted the avenues, made the Canal, and built the Aviary adjacent to Bird-cage Walk, which took its name from the cages hung in the trees. In the early 19th century, the famous architect John Nash redesigned the park, giving it much of its current appearance.

Today, St James's Park is bordered by three royal palaces and is the home of ceremonial events in the capital - from royal weddings and jubilees to military parades and state celebrations. The park offers some of London's most iconic views, particularly from the lake where visitors can see Buckingham Palace framed by trees and watch the famous pelicans.

Key features include the central lake with Duck Island, the Blue Bridge offering spectacular views, the Horse Guards Parade on the eastern edge, and the Mall running along its northern boundary. The park is also home to diverse wildlife and beautiful flowerbeds and serves as a green oasis in the heart of one of the world's busiest cities.

Parting Comments 

Buckingham Palace is a stone's throw away, and Green Park is around the corner. I usually end in Green Park but have started attending St James's Park because of the Pelicans. They're a joy to see. 

If you happen to be in the neighbourhood, pop along and see if you can fund the Pelicans. Interestingly, they are not shy people. I suppose with thousands of pairs of eyes watching their every move and every day, they are the real celebrities.

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