A clingy pelican developed a crush on a zoo visitor in China.

The tourist, dressed in a white furry jacket and pink skirt, caught the attention of the bird during her visit with her partner to the Polar Ocean Park in Wuhan, Hubei, on November 18.

Footage shows the feathered creature waddling towards her, prompting the woman to pat its head.

However, as the couple was about to leave the sanctuary, the pelican began to follow her and even ran after her as she dashed toward the exit.

As the bird pursued her, it rhythmically shook its beak, seemingly performing a courtship ritual toward the woman.

Pelicans perform a variety of courtship rituals to form monogamous pairs and attract mates by swinging their bills from side to side to attract the female's attention. They also throw small objects like sticks or fish in the air and catch them again.

Contrary to other visitors' encounters with pelicans, these mischievous birds often attempt to put the faces of holidaymakers in their mouths, seemingly wanting to eat them.