Brown Pelican: where and when to see them

The brown pelican is a large coastal bird famous for plunge-feeding and orderly lines of birds gliding just above the waves. Its enormous bill pouch is used to capture prey and drain water, not to store food for long journeys. Populations occupy American Atlantic and Pacific coasts, including the Galapagos. Recovery from pesticide-related declines is an important conservation success, although fishing-line injuries, disturbance, storms and loss of nesting habitat remain significant local threats.

Size

100-137 cm long

Weight

2-5 kg

Lifespan

15-25 years

Status

Least Concern

Brown pelicans patrol shorelines individually or in loose formations, using rising air above waves to reduce flight effort. When prey is located, they fold their wings and strike the water, then drain the bill pouch before swallowing. They rest communally on sandbars, rocks, mangroves and harbour structures. Breeding colonies may be on the ground or in trees, and adults feed chicks by regurgitation. Birds habituated to fishing areas remain vulnerable wildlife, not safe feeding companions. Courtship displays involve the male flying in circles over the female, often presenting her with nesting material. They are generally non-migratory across much of their range but northern populations undertake seasonal movements to warmer climes.

• The throat pouch drains water before a fish is swallowed.
• Brown pelicans often glide in lines close to wave crests.
• Pesticide-related eggshell thinning once caused severe regional declines.
• Both parents warm their eggs using their feet.

Many tropical populations are present year-round, while northern populations and local numbers shift seasonally. Coastal dry seasons often improve viewing comfort in Central America and Mexico. Florida offers broad year-round opportunities, and Galapagos conditions vary seasonally without producing a single reliable archipelago-wide peak. In the Galapagos, the garua season (cool and dry) can offer excellent viewing opportunities as pelicans are highly active. Conversely, the warm wet season may see a slight reduction in their visibility due to dispersed prey.

Shallow coastal seas, bays, estuaries, lagoons and mangrove shorelines are typical habitat. Secure islands and secluded coastal vegetation support colonies, while exposed rocks and sandbars provide resting places. Brown pelicans are strongly coastal and are less associated with inland lakes than American white pelicans. They are often found within a few miles of the coast, rarely venturing far out to sea or far inland. Optimal habitats feature shallow, productive waters with safe nesting sites nearby.

Small to medium-sized schooling fish dominate the diet, with prey varying by coast and season. Pelicans often exploit fish concentrated in shallow water or near the surface. Fishery scraps can attract them, but swallowing hooks or becoming dependent on handouts creates serious welfare problems. They will occasionally consume crustaceans, eggs, and amphibians, particularly when fish are scarce or during breeding season. Unlike some other pelican species, brown pelicans do not typically cooperatively herd fish.

Common name

Brown Pelican

Scientific name

Pelecanus occidentalis

Animal group

Birds

Size

100-137 cm long

Weight

2-5 kg

Lifespan

15-25 years

Status

Least Concern

Identification

The brown pelican's dark body and plunge-feeding distinguish it from the mostly white American white pelican, while the related Peruvian pelican is substantially larger with more contrasting plumage. Juveniles are uniformly brown on the head and neck, gradually acquiring the adult's white and dark brown plumage over several years. Their large, expandable gular pouch, used for catching prey, is a key field mark even when not plunge-diving.