Brown Pelican

The Brown Pelican is a familiar and charismatic seabird of American coastlines, the smallest of the world's pelican species and the only one that regularly plunge-dives for its food. Once severely impacted by pesticide-related eggshell thinning, it has made a strong recovery across much of its range.

Appearance

Adults have a grayish-brown body, silvery gray wing coverts, a white to pale yellow head, and, in breeding plumage, a dark chestnut-brown hindneck and a yellowish crown. The large bill and throat pouch are grayish, and the legs are dark gray to black. Juveniles are duller brown overall with a whitish belly.

Key field marks

• Large size with a long bill and expandable throat pouch, but noticeably smaller and darker than American White Pelican
• Grayish-brown body plumage overall
• White or pale head, with dark reddish-brown breeding neck plumage
• Dramatic headfirst plunge-dives from considerable height

Similar species

American White Pelican is much larger and almost entirely white, easily distinguished by color alone. No other coastal bird shares the Brown Pelican's combination of large size, brownish plumage, and characteristic plunge-diving behavior.

Habitat and range

Brown Pelicans are found along coastal marine waters, bays, and estuaries from the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of the United States south through Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and along the Pacific coast of South America. They are rarely found far from saltwater or far inland.

Migration

Some populations, particularly in temperate parts of the range, migrate seasonally along the coast, while others in tropical regions are largely resident year-round. The species suffered severe population declines in the mid-20th century due to the pesticide DDT, which thinned eggshells, but has recovered strongly following its ban.

Behavior

Brown Pelicans forage by flying and gliding along the coast at moderate height before folding their wings and plunging headfirst into the water to catch fish, which are scooped up in the expandable throat pouch along with water that is then drained before swallowing.

Voice

Adults are largely silent, though low grunts and hisses may be given at the nest, and colonies can be noisy with begging chicks.

Nesting and breeding

They nest colonially on coastal islands, mangroves, or cliffs, building a bulky stick nest either on the ground or in low trees and shrubs. Typically two to three eggs are laid, and both parents share incubation and feeding duties.