Brown Pelican
Pelecanus occidentalis
Meet the Brown Pelican
The Brown Pelican is a large coastal bird known for its striking appearance, featuring a long bill with a distinctive throat pouch and a brownish-gray body. It is easily recognized by its habit of diving headfirst from impressive heights into the water to catch fish, making it one of the only pelican species to do so. Brown Pelicans are highly social, often seen resting in groups along shorelines or gliding gracefully in formation above the waves. They are found along both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the Americas, from North America down to northern South America.
Wikipedia Data 🎥 6 Videos 📚 3 Sources Classification
Bird
Habitat
Coastal marine and estuarine environments
Diet
Carnivore
Lifespan
15-25 years
Conservation
Least Concern
Weight
2-5 kg
📖Fascinating Facts
Daring Divers
Brown Pelicans are the only pelican species that regularly dive from the air into water to catch their prey, sometimes from as high as 20 meters.
Enormous Pouch
The pelican's large bill and expandable throat pouch can hold several liters of water and fish, helping them scoop up their meals efficiently.
Parental Care
Both male and female Brown Pelicans take turns incubating their eggs and feeding the chicks by regurgitating partially digested fish.
📋Detailed Description
The Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) is a large, robust waterbird, typically measuring 106–137 cm (42–54 in) in length with a wingspan of 183–250 cm (6–8.2 ft), and weighing between 2 and 5 kg (4.4–11 lbs). Its most distinctive anatomical feature is the elongated bill (28–34 cm/11–13 in) with a flexible, expandable gular pouch used for catching fish. Adults display sexual monomorphism, though females are slightly smaller than males. The breeding plumage is characterized by a white head with a yellowish crown, rich maroon-brown nape and neck, and a pale yellowish patch on the lower fore neck, while nonbreeding adults have a white head and neck with duller facial skin. Juveniles are browner overall, with a paler belly. The Brown Pelican's body is streamlined for plunge-diving, with air sacs beneath the skin to cushion impact. Its feet are fully webbed, aiding in swimming and maneuverability. Brown Pelicans are highly gregarious, nesting and roosting in large colonies, and are often observed gliding in V-formations or single lines just above the water surface. Their vocalizations are generally limited to low grunts and hisses, as is typical for pelicans. The species is primarily diurnal, with activity peaks at dawn and dusk, and exhibits strong site fidelity to breeding and roosting locations.
💡 Did you know?
The Brown Pelican was once endangered due to pesticide pollution, but has made a remarkable recovery after DDT was banned in the United States.
🔬Research & Sources
Wikipedia Summary
The brown pelican is a bird of the pelican family, Pelecanidae, one of three species found in the Americas and one of two that feed by diving into water. It is found on the Atlantic Coast from New Jersey to the mouth of the Amazon River, and along the Pacific Coast from British Columbia to Peru, including the Galapagos Islands. The nominate subspecies in its breeding plumage has a white head with a yellowish wash on the crown. The nape and neck are dark maroon–brown. The upper sides of the neck have white lines along the base of the gular pouch, and the lower fore neck has a pale yellowish patch. The male and female are similar, but the female is slightly smaller. The nonbreeding adult has a white head and neck. The pink skin around the eyes becomes dull and gray in the nonbreeding season. It lacks any red hue, and the pouch is strongly olivaceous ochre-tinged and the legs are olivaceous gray to blackish-gray.
Last Modified: 5/23/2025
🎭Behavior & Social Structure
Brown Pelicans are renowned for their unique plunge-diving hunting technique, in which they spot fish from heights of up to 20 meters (65 ft) and dive steeply, folding their wings back and striking the water bill-first. Upon surfacing, they drain water from their pouch before swallowing prey whole, typically small schooling fish such as menhaden, anchovies, or sardines. Feeding is often solitary, but foraging flocks may form in areas of abundant prey. Socially, Brown Pelicans are colonial nesters, with hundreds to thousands of pairs nesting on isolated islands or coastal mangroves. They exhibit cooperative behaviors such as group flight and synchronized gliding, and maintain complex social hierarchies at roosts. Daily routines include foraging, preening, sunbathing (often with wings spread), and resting. Juveniles form crèches (groups) while adults forage. Territoriality is most pronounced during the breeding season, with males defending nest sites.
👶Reproduction & Life Cycle
Breeding occurs seasonally, with timing varying by latitude (spring to early summer in temperate regions, year-round in the tropics). Courtship involves males selecting and defending nest sites, performing displays such as head swaying and bill clattering to attract females. Pairs are monogamous for the season. Nests are constructed from sticks, reeds, and vegetation, built in trees, shrubs, or on the ground depending on habitat availability. Clutch size is typically 2–3 eggs (range 1–4), with both parents sharing incubation duties for about 28–30 days. Chicks are altricial, hatching naked and helpless, and are fed regurgitated fish by both parents. Fledging occurs at 9–12 weeks, but young may remain dependent on adults for several weeks post-fledging. Breeding success is highly sensitive to disturbance and food availability.
🛡️Adaptations & Survival
The Brown Pelican exhibits several remarkable adaptations for its coastal lifestyle. Its plunge-diving behavior is supported by subcutaneous air sacs that cushion internal organs during impact, and specialized cervical vertebrae that allow rapid bill extension. The gular pouch can hold up to 11 liters (almost 3 gallons) of water and fish, and is lined with blood vessels for thermoregulation. The eyes are adapted for underwater vision, with a nictitating membrane for protection. Webbed feet facilitate efficient swimming and maneuvering in water. Plumage is dense and waterproof, maintained by regular preening and oiling from the uropygial gland. Social adaptations include colonial nesting and cooperative flight formations, which reduce predation risk and improve foraging efficiency.
📚Research Sources
🎨Cultural Significance
The Brown Pelican holds symbolic importance in many coastal cultures and is the state bird of Louisiana. It appears in folklore and iconography as a symbol of self-sacrifice and nurturing, stemming from the ancient belief that pelicans would wound themselves to feed their young with their blood. The species is featured in art, literature, and conservation campaigns throughout the Americas. Its dramatic feeding behavior and graceful flight have made it a favorite among birdwatchers and ecotourists.
🔬Recent Research & Discoveries
Recent research has focused on the species’ recovery from pesticide impacts, genetic diversity across its range, and the effects of climate change on breeding phenology. Satellite telemetry studies have revealed extensive post-breeding dispersal and migration patterns, with some individuals traveling hundreds of kilometers. Studies on foraging ecology indicate flexibility in prey selection and adaptation to changing fish populations. Ongoing research is examining the impact of microplastics and persistent organic pollutants on pelican health. The Brown Pelican is also used as a sentinel species for monitoring coastal ecosystem health.
🎥Wildlife Videos
Everything You Wanted to Know About Pelicans
Found on every continent except Antarctica, pelicans are amazing birds with 10-foot wingspans and a hunger for fish. Head to the ...
The World Safari
The Brown Pelican: Everything You Need To Know! (4K)
Among the largest native birds in North America, Brown Pelicans have some incredibly unique adaptations and a surprisingly rich ...
The Wild Report
Pelican Survivors | Georgia Outdoors
On this episode of Georgia Outdoors; Pelicans are one of the strangest looking birds on earth. Very few have witnessed their ...
Georgia Outdoors
Nature: Brown Pelicans
"Sunday Morning" takes us among Brown Pelicans at California's Rodeo Lagoon near Sausolito. Videographer: Lee McEachern.
CBS Sunday Morning
Pelican - Fishing and Behavior Documentary (Nat Geo)
Many pelicans fish by swimming in cooperative groups. They may form a line or a "U" shape and drive fish into shallow water by ...
Exotic Birds Documentary
The Biology and Anatomy of: The Pelicans Birds. Ocean mysteries documentary
Welcome to our deep dive into the anatomy of pelican birds, where we explore the fascinating world of these incredible creatures!
Nature is Amazing
🌍Habitat Information
The Brown Pelican typically inhabits Coastal marine and estuarine environments environments. Brown Pelicans have adapted to their environments with specialized features and behaviors.
Primary Habitat:
Coastal marine and estuarine environments
More detailed habitat information will be available soon.
🛡️Conservation Status
The Brown Pelican is currently classified as Least Concern. Conservation efforts are crucial for preserving this species for future generations.
Common Threats:
- 🏠Habitat loss and fragmentation
- 🌡️Climate change impacts
- 🎯Hunting and poaching
- 🏭Human-wildlife conflict
⚠️Threats & Conservation Challenges
While currently listed as Least Concern, Brown Pelicans face ongoing threats including habitat loss (especially nesting islands), human disturbance, entanglement in fishing gear, oil spills, and environmental contaminants. The species was severely impacted by DDT-induced eggshell thinning in the mid-20th century, leading to dramatic population declines and local extirpations. Following the ban of DDT and active conservation measures, populations have rebounded, but localized threats persist. Oil pollution remains a significant risk, as evidenced by the Deepwater Horizon spill, which caused substantial mortality. Sea-level rise and increased storm frequency due to climate change threaten nesting habitats. Continued monitoring and habitat protection are essential for long-term stability.
🔬Scientific Classification
Scientific Name
Pelecanus occidentalis
Classification Hierarchy
🔍 About Taxonomic Classification
Taxonomic classification is a hierarchical system used by scientists to classify and organize living organisms based on shared characteristics and evolutionary relationships.
The system moves from broad categories (Kingdom) to increasingly specific ones, with each animal's scientific name typically consisting of its Genus and species.
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