Brown Pelican

Adults in breeding plumage have a white head with a yellowish crown, dark hindneck, grayish-brown back, and dark legs. Non-breeding adults have a white neck instead of dark. Juveniles are mostly uniform grayish-brown above with pale brownish-gray underparts.

Dark grayish-brown body, long heavy bill with a large gular pouch, and the dramatic headfirst plunge-diving behavior.

Length: 100-150 cm (39-59 in), Wingspan: 203-228 cm (80-90 in), Weight: 2.75-5.5 kg (6-12 lbs)

Generally silent, but adults emit low-pitched grunts or croaks at the nest or when disturbed; chicks make high-pitched piping noises when begging for food.

Primarily small schooling fish such as menhaden, herring, anchovies, and mullet; occasionally takes crustaceans like prawns.

Marine and coastal environments, primarily saltwater bays, beaches, estuaries, and shallow coastal waters. Rarely found inland.

Mostly resident or dispersive; northernmost populations migrate short distances south for the winter.

Nests in colonies on remote islands, mangrove swamps, or cliffs. Builds bulky nests of sticks and vegetation on the ground or in low trees/shrubs. Clutch size is typically 2 to 3 chalky white eggs.

American White Pelican, which is larger, mostly white with black wingtips, and feeds by scooping water while swimming rather than plunge-diving.

Acts as an important top marine predator and bioindicator of coastal ecosystem health, particularly regarding marine fish stocks and pollutant levels.

Least Concern, with populations generally stable or increasing following historical declines due to DDT pesticide use.

Look for them flying in synchronized V-formations just above the waves or diving dramatically into the ocean from heights of up to 60 feet along coastal beaches, piers, and bays.

Brown Pelicans were severely threatened in the mid-20th century due to the pesticide DDT, which thinned their eggshells, but made a remarkable recovery after DDT was banned in the US in 1972.