A large dark seabird with massive bill pouch for catching fish. Plunge-dives from heights up to 20 m. Recovered after DDT-era declines.

Native status: Native; recovered

§ Quick facts

SizeBody 1.0–1.4 m (3.3–4.5 ft); wingspan 2.0–2.4 m (6.5–8 ft)
Weight2–4 kg (4.4–8.8 lb)
LifespanWild 12 years; oldest documented 31
OrderPelecaniformes
FamilyPelecanidae

§ Encyclopedia

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.

Source: Wikipedia — Brown pelican Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Large dark seabird with distinctive bill pouch. Brown body, white head in breeding plumage.

Similar species. American White Pelican (white, larger). Other pelican species (different ranges).

Voice. Generally silent; grunts at colonies.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Fish — primarily anchovies, sardines, herring. Plunge-dives from up to 20 m above water.

Behavior. Coastal/marine. Plunge-dives from heights. Forms breeding colonies. Recovered after DDT-era declines.

§ Range

Pacific and Atlantic coasts

§ Habitat

Coastal waters, beaches, mangroves

§ Threats

Coastal habitat loss, plastic pollution, oil spills.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the brown pelican is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Support coastal protection. Reduce ocean plastic.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • Cornell Lab — All About Birds
  • USFWS
  • National Audubon Society
  • IUCN Red List 2018