Overview
The Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) is a large, coastal bird recognized for its distinctive body shape, with a long bill and a large throat pouch used for catching fish. It is the smallest member of the seven species of pelicans, but it’s still a relatively large bird with a wingspan of over 6 feet. During the breeding season, adults have a brownish-gray body with a yellowish-white head and neck. Nonbreeding adults have a white neck and head with a pale yellow crown.
Unlike other pelicans, Brown Pelicans are known for their spectacular plunge-diving behavior. They feed by spotting fish from the air and diving from as high as 65 feet, folding their wings at the last moment to enter the water with a splash. After catching fish, they surface and drain the water from their pouch before swallowing. This dramatic feeding style is a hallmark of the species and a thrilling sight for onlookers.
Brown Pelicans are social birds, often seen roosting and feeding in groups. They are also known for their graceful, synchronized flying in lines or V-formations. These pelicans breed in colonies on coastal islands, with nests made on the ground or in mangroves or low trees. Their loud, guttural calls are a common sound in their coastal habitats, contributing to the lively atmosphere of the shores they inhabit.
Taxonomy
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species
Type
Physical Description:
Brown Pelicans are large birds with a wingspan of 6.5 to 7.5 feet and a body length of about 4 feet. They weigh between 6 to 12 pounds, with males generally larger than females. Their most distinctive feature is the long bill with a large throat pouch, which can hold up to 3 gallons of water. The adult’s plumage is primarily a grayish-brown with a yellowish-white head and neck during the breeding season, and their eyes are surrounded by a dark stripe that runs down the side of the neck.
Juveniles are more uniformly brown and lack adults’ distinct head and neck coloring. The pelicans’ legs and feet are webbed, aiding in propulsion while swimming. They are graceful and powerful in flight, often gliding low over the water with their heads back and bills resting on their chest. The Brown Pelican’s sturdy body and large wings make it well-adapted for long flights and dramatic, high-speed dives.
Lifespan: Wild: ~10 Years || Captivity: ~30 Years
Weight: Male & Female: 6-12 lbs (2.7-5.4 kg)
Length: Male & Female: 48 inches (121 cm)
Height: Male & Female: 42-54 inches (106-137 cm)
Wingspan: Male & Female: 78-90 inches (198-228 cm)
Top Speed: 30 mph (48 km/h) in flight
Characteristic:
Native Habitat:
Brown Pelicans are found along coastlines, estuaries, and near marine islands. They prefer warm, shallow waters where schools of small fish are abundant. Their habitats range from the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf coasts of North and South America, including the Caribbean islands. Brown Pelicans are commonly seen on piers, docks, and sandy beaches, as well as in more secluded mangrove swamps and lagoons.
These birds require safe roosting and nesting sites, often found on isolated islands free from terrestrial predators. Their nesting colonies are typically located on coastal islands with suitable vegetation for building nests. The presence of Brown Pelicans is a good indicator of the health of their marine environment, as they rely on abundant fish populations and clean water for survival.
Biomes:
WWF Biomes:
Biogeographical Realms:
Continents:
Countries:
Diet:
Diet & Feeding Habits:
Brown Pelicans primarily feed on fish, with a preference for small schooling species like anchovies, sardines, and menhaden. They are visual hunters and spot their prey from the air before performing their characteristic plunge dive. The pelican’s large bill and expandable throat pouch allow it to scoop up fish and water, draining it before swallowing the fish whole.
While plunge-diving is their most famous feeding method, Brown Pelicans also forage by swimming and scooping up fish near the water’s surface. They are social feeders and often hunt in groups, coordinating their dives to maximize their chances of a successful catch. Young pelicans are fed by regurgitation from their parents, gradually learning to hunt on their own as they mature.
Mating Behavior:
Mating Description:
Brown Pelicans are monogamous within a breeding season and form pairs that work together to build a nest and raise their young. Courtship involves a series of ritualized behaviors, including head movements, bill clapping, and mutual preening. Males select and defend a nesting territory, performing display flights and vocalizations to attract a mate.
Nesting occurs in colonies, with each pair building a large nest of sticks, reeds, and grasses on the ground or in trees and bushes. The female lays 2 to 3 eggs, which both parents incubate for about a month. After hatching, both parents feed the chicks by regurgitation. The young fledge at about 9 to 12 weeks but may remain near the nest, depending on parental care for several more weeks.
Reproduction Season:
Birth Type:
Pregnancy Duration:
Female Name:
Male Name:
Baby Name:
Social Structure Description:
Brown Pelicans are social birds, often seen in groups while roosting, feeding, and flying. They form large breeding colonies, which provide safety in numbers from predators. They may gather in flocks along coastlines and at roosting sites outside of the breeding season. Their social behavior includes coordinated foraging, where groups of pelicans dive in succession to encircle fish.
Communication within the flock is primarily visual and auditory, with vocalizations and signal alarms used to maintain contact. The strong social bonds in breeding colonies are crucial for each breeding pair’s success and their chicks’ survival. Understanding their social structure helps in managing and protecting these communal nesting sites.
Groups:
Population Trend:
Brown Pelican populations have significantly recovered since the mid-20th century when they were severely impacted by pesticide pollution, particularly DDT. Conservation measures, including banning DDT and protecting nesting sites, have led to their successful comeback. They are widespread in their coastal habitats, with stable or increasing populations in many areas.
While they are currently not considered at risk, Brown Pelicans still face threats from oil spills, entanglement in fishing gear, and human disturbance at nesting sites. Continued conservation efforts are essential to maintain healthy populations and ensure the long-term survival of this iconic coastal bird.
Population Threats:
The primary threats to Brown Pelicans include oil spills, which can contaminate their feathers and reduce their ability to insulate and float, leading to hypothermia and death. Entanglement in fishing gear and ingestion of hooks and lines can cause injury or death. Human disturbance, especially near nesting colonies, can lead to the abandonment of nests and the loss of chicks.
Habitat loss due to coastal development and rising sea levels is a concern, as it reduces available nesting and foraging areas. Climate change may also impact fish populations and, consequently, the food availability for Brown Pelicans. Continued monitoring and conservation efforts are crucial to address these threats and protect pelican populations.
Conservation Efforts:
Conservation efforts for Brown Pelicans have included banning harmful pesticides like DDT, protecting and managing nesting sites, and implementing regulations to reduce disturbance and accidental capture in fishing gear. Public education and awareness campaigns have also helped reduce human impacts on pelican populations. Wildlife rehabilitation centers are vital in rescuing and treating injured pelicans, releasing them back into the wild whenever possible.
Ongoing research and monitoring are essential to track population trends, understand the impacts of environmental changes, and inform conservation strategies. International cooperation is crucial, as the birds’ range extends across multiple countries. These efforts have been highly successful and continue to be important for the future of Brown Pelican populations.
Additional Resources:
Fun Facts
- Brown Pelicans are one of the only two pelican species that plunge-dive to catch their food.
- Their throat pouch can hold up to three times more than their stomach.
- Brown Pelicans are known to live up to 30 years in the wild, a long lifespan for birds.
- They were one of the success stories of the Endangered Species Act in the United States, delisted as endangered after recovering from near extinction.
- Unlike most birds, Brown Pelicans have air sacs beneath the skin on their breasts, which help cushion the impact of their high-speed dives.
- They are the state bird of Louisiana, symbolizing resilience and recovery.
- Brown Pelicans are surprisingly light despite their size due to their hollow bones and air sacs, adaptations for flight.
- They can drink salt water, with special glands to excrete the salt.
- Fossil records indicate that pelicans have been around for over 30 million years.
- During the breeding season, the back of the neck of adults turns dark brown, and their eyes turn bright blue.
