Brown Pelican
Pelecanus occidentalis
Conservation Status
Least ConcernAves · Pelecaniformes · Pelecanidae
About
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.
Fun Fact
Brown Pelicans dive from heights of 60 feet into the ocean to catch fish, and their air sac throat pouches cushion the impact at up to 40 mph.
Quick Facts
Habitat
Inhabiting marine subtidal, warm estuarine, and marine pelagic waters.
Diet
Piscivore (fish-eater)
Lifespan
31 years (captivity)
Threats
- Habitat Change
- Human Disturbance