Overview
The brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) is a large coastal bird known for its distinctive long bill and expansive throat pouch, which it uses for catching fish. It is the smallest pelican species but remains a large bird with an impressive wingspan. Unlike other pelicans that scoop fish from the water’s surface, brown pelicans are unique in their hunting technique, diving from heights of up to 60 feet (18 meters) to capture prey. This species is commonly found along the coasts of North and South America, often seen gliding just above the ocean waves.
Brown pelicans are highly social birds that live in large colonies, especially during the breeding season. They form strong group bonds and roost on coastal cliffs, sandbars, and mangroves when not foraging. Their diet consists almost exclusively of fish, with a preference for schooling species such as anchovies and sardines. These birds’ survival depends on coastal and marine ecosystems, making them vulnerable to environmental changes and human disturbances.
Once threatened by pesticide pollution, particularly DDT, brown pelican populations declined drastically in the mid-20th century. Conservation efforts, including banning DDT and habitat protection measures, have led to a remarkable population recovery. Although still affected by habitat loss, oil spills, and human interference, the species has rebounded significantly and was removed from the U.S. Endangered Species List in 2009. Brown pelicans remain widespread but require conservation attention to ensure long-term stability.
Taxonomy
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species
Type
Current distribution:
Brown pelicans are widely distributed along the coasts of North, Central, and South America, primarily in warm coastal waters. In North America, they are commonly found along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, from the southeastern United States to Venezuela. Along the Pacific Coast, their range extends from California to northern Peru, with breeding colonies in Mexico and the Galápagos Islands. Some populations migrate seasonally, with northern individuals moving southward during colder months.
Despite their broad range, local populations are affected by environmental threats such as oil spills, pollution, and habitat destruction. Conservation efforts, particularly in the U.S. and Mexico, have helped stabilize populations, but ongoing protection is necessary. Human activities, including overfishing and coastal development, continue to impact their distribution and breeding success. Brown pelicans remain a widespread and resilient species but require ongoing habitat preservation to maintain healthy populations.
Physical Description:
The brown pelican has a large, elongated body covered in grayish-brown feathers, with a paler or yellowish head that darkens during the breeding season. Its long, straight bill, measuring up to 13.7 inches (35 cm), features a large expandable throat pouch made of flexible skin that allows it to catch and drain fish before swallowing. The pouch can expand significantly to hold multiple fish at once. Its eyes are small but well-adapted for spotting prey from great distances above the water.
Its broad and powerful wings allow graceful soaring and efficient gliding over coastal waters. The legs are short, with webbed feet adapted for strong swimming, though brown pelicans are more commonly seen in the air or resting on land. The tail is relatively short but helps with balance during flight and diving. Males and females appear similar, though males are slightly larger on average.
Lifespan: Wild: ~15 Years || Captivity: ~40 Years
Weight: Male & Female: 6.1–12 lbs (2.75–5.5 kg)
Length: Male & Female: 39–54 in (99–137 cm)
Wingspan: Male & Female: 78–90 in (198–229 cm)
Top Speed: 40 mph (64 km/h)
Characteristic:
Native Habitat:
Brown pelicans are strictly coastal birds, inhabiting shorelines, estuaries, mangroves, sandy beaches, and rocky coasts. They rely on warm marine environments, often nesting on isolated islands, coastal cliffs, and dense mangrove forests where predators are scarce. Their habitat is closely tied to abundant fish populations, meaning they are rarely found far from the ocean. While they prefer saltwater environments, they occasionally venture into brackish estuaries and river mouths.
These birds require safe nesting sites free from human disturbance, as they are highly sensitive to habitat changes. During migration and non-breeding seasons, they frequently rest on sandbars, piers, and breakwaters near fishing areas. Their habitat selection is influenced by food availability, protection from predators, and access to suitable breeding grounds. Conserving coastal environments is crucial to ensuring stable populations of brown pelicans.
WWF Biomes:
Biogeographical Realms:
Continents:
Countries:
Diet:
Diet & Feeding Habits:
Brown pelicans are piscivorous, feeding almost exclusively on fish, with a strong preference for schooling species such as anchovies, sardines, and menhaden. They use their keen eyesight to spot fish from above and perform spectacular plunge-dives to catch prey, often submerging completely before resurfacing. The expandable throat pouch allows them to scoop up large amounts of water and fish, which they drain before swallowing their catch whole. This hunting method is highly effective, and they often work in groups to corral fish into tight schools for easier capture.
Brown pelicans occasionally consume crustaceans and small aquatic animals in addition to fish. They rely on coastal habitats where fish populations are abundant, making them sensitive to changes in marine ecosystems. Although skilled hunters sometimes steal food from other seabirds or scavenge from fishing boats. Their diet and foraging behavior are crucial in maintaining healthy fish populations and coastal ecosystem balance.
Mating Behavior:
Mating Description:
Brown pelicans are monogamous during the breeding season, forming pairs that engage in elaborate courtship displays. Males attract females by performing head sways, bill clattering, and aerial displays near potential nesting sites. Once paired, the male gathers nesting materials while the female constructs the nest, which is typically built in trees, shrubs, or on the ground in coastal islands. Nesting colonies can be densely packed, with pairs often nesting close together.
The female lays 2–3 eggs, and both parents take turns incubating for about 28–30 days. Once hatched, the chicks are fed regurgitated fish by both parents and remain in the nest for 9–12 weeks before fledging. Parental care is extensive, with both adults protecting and feeding their young until they are strong enough to leave the colony. After the breeding season, pairs separate, and individuals may form new pair bonds in the following season.
Reproduction Season:
Birth Type:
Pregnancy Duration:
Female Name:
Male Name:
Baby Name:
Social Structure Description:
Brown pelicans are highly social birds that live in large colonies that provide protection and increased foraging efficiency. They roost, migrate, and breed in groups, often nesting in densely packed colonies on coastal islands, mangroves, and cliffs. Within these colonies, individuals engage in cooperative behaviors such as synchronized flying and group foraging, where multiple pelicans dive into the water simultaneously to catch fish. Despite their social nature, they can be territorial around nesting sites, engaging in aggressive displays to defend their space.
During the breeding season, brown pelicans form temporary monogamous pairs, with both parents cooperating in nest-building, incubation, and chick-rearing. They maintain loose social structures outside of breeding, often gathering in groups to rest and feed but without strong long-term bonds. Communication occurs through visual displays, bill clattering, and low grunting sounds, particularly during courtship and parental interactions. Their social structure helps them efficiently locate food sources and avoid predators while maintaining strong population numbers in coastal environments.
Groups:
Population Trend:
The brown pelican population has rebounded significantly after experiencing severe declines in the mid-20th century due to pesticide pollution, particularly from DDT. By the 1970s, many populations had plummeted due to eggshell thinning, which caused widespread reproductive failure. Following the ban of DDT in 1972 and dedicated conservation efforts, the species made a strong recovery and was removed from the U.S. Endangered Species List in 2009. Today, the global population is estimated to be around 650,000 individuals, with stable or increasing trends in most regions.
Despite this recovery, localized threats continue to impact some populations, particularly habitat destruction, pollution, and human disturbances at nesting sites. Oil spills, entanglement in fishing gear, and declining fish stocks due to overfishing also pose risks in certain areas. Conservation programs continue to monitor brown pelican populations to ensure their long-term stability. While the species remains widespread and abundant, ongoing protection of coastal habitats and marine ecosystems is necessary to maintain healthy population levels.
Population Threats:
Brown pelicans face significant threats, primarily habitat destruction and human disturbance, despite their recovery. Coastal development, including tourism, urban expansion, and industrial activities, reduces available nesting and roosting sites, forcing pelicans into smaller, more crowded areas. Human disturbances, such as boating and recreational activities near breeding colonies, can lead to nest abandonment and lower reproductive success. Additionally, rising sea levels and stronger storms caused by climate change threaten low-lying nesting areas, increasing the risk of habitat loss.
Pollution is another major threat, with oil spills, plastic waste, and chemical contaminants affecting brown pelican populations. Oil spills coat their feathers, reducing their ability to stay buoyant and regulate body temperature, often leading to death. Entanglement in fishing lines and nets is frequent, as pelicans may accidentally get caught while diving for fish. Overfishing key prey species, such as sardines and anchovies, also impacts food availability, forcing pelicans to travel greater distances and expend more energy to find food.
Conservation Efforts:
Conservation efforts for the brown pelican have been highly successful, particularly following the ban of DDT in 1972, which allowed populations to recover from near extinction in the United States. Legal protections, such as the U.S. Endangered Species Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, helped safeguard breeding colonies from habitat destruction and human disturbance. Many important nesting and roosting sites are now protected within wildlife refuges, national parks, and marine conservation areas. Continued monitoring programs track population trends and assess the impact of environmental threats to ensure long-term stability.
Efforts to mitigate human-induced threats focus on reducing pollution, preventing oil spills, and regulating fishing practices to prevent entanglement in fishing gear. Conservation organizations work to rescue and rehabilitate injured pelicans, particularly those affected by oil spills and plastic waste. Public awareness campaigns educate coastal communities on protecting pelican habitats and minimizing human disturbances near nesting sites. While the brown pelican has made a remarkable comeback, ongoing conservation efforts remain crucial to addressing emerging threats such as climate change, habitat degradation, and overfishing.
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.
