Brown Pelican

Overview

The Brown Pelican is a large, unmistakable seabird widely recognized for its spectacular plunge-diving behavior when hunting for fish. It is a strictly coastal species, rarely venturing far from shorelines, and is commonly seen gliding in coordinated formations or resting on coastal structures like piers and pilings.

Appearance

This robust bird features a long neck and an oversized bill equipped with a highly expandable throat pouch used as a dip net for prey. Adults typically display silver-gray upperparts with a dark, blackish-brown belly. During the breeding season, their heads turn white with a distinctive yellowish wash on the crown, while the nape and neck may show dark maroon-brown coloration. Juveniles are generally darker brown and take approximately three years to acquire full adult plumage.

Biology & behavior

Brown Pelicans are highly gregarious, often living and traveling in flocks. They are diurnal birds that spend much of their time foraging or loafing on sandbars, mangroves, and offshore rocks. When flying, they typically hold their heads back on their shoulders with their bills resting on their folded necks. They are known for their longevity, with some individuals living over 30 years.

Feeding

Primarily piscivorous, they hunt by spotting fish from the air and diving headfirst into the water. Upon surfacing, they drain the water from their pouch before swallowing their catch. While fish make up the bulk of their diet, they may occasionally consume crustaceans, amphibians, or even bird eggs and nestlings.

Reproduction

These birds nest in colonies, often choosing secluded, predator-free locations such as coastal islands or mangrove thickets. Both parents share incubation duties for their clutch of two to three white eggs and continue to care for the chicks by regurgitating food until the young are capable of fishing for themselves.