The Pelecanidae is a family of pelecaniform birds within the Pelecani that contains three genera: 
- the extinct Eopelecanus,
- the Miopelecanus,
- and the extant Pelecanus.

Pelecaniformes, Pelecanidae, Pelecanus
 Pelecanus: Greek pelekan, pelekanos pelican.
 Greek pelekan (πελεκάν), meaning "pelican" or related to "axe" (pelekys).
 From pelekys (πέλεκυς), meaning "axe," likely due to the shape of the bill.