A large, distinctive bird known for its graceful flight, unique feeding behavior, and striking appearance. Found along the coastal regions of the Americas, this bird is an iconic species that thrives in both tropical and subtropical environments. They are recognizable by their large bodies, long necks, and enormous bills, which feature a stretchy throat pouch known as a gular pouch. The plumage of the brown pelican varies slightly between breeding and non-breeding seasons. Generally, they have a grayish-brown body with a white head and neck, which turn a vibrant yellow during the breeding season. Their eyes are pale blue, and their legs and feet are dark gray.
Brown pelicans are highly social birds, often seen flying in flocks, gliding effortlessly in a V-formation just above the water’s surface. They are also known for their dramatic plunge-diving feeding technique. When spotting fish from above, a brown pelican will dive headfirst into the water, using its large bill and expandable throat pouch to scoop up fish. Once they have caught their prey, they drain the water from their pouch before swallowing the fish whole. This feeding behavior is spectacular to observe and highly effective, allowing them to catch a significant amount of food in a relatively short time.
As top predators in their food chain, brown pelicans help regulate fish populations, maintaining a balance within their coastal habitats. Their presence also indicates a healthy marine environment, as they rely on clean waters and abundant fish stocks for survival.
Distribution
Anguilla
Antigua & Barbuda
Aruba
Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Bermuda
Bonaire Sint Eustatius And Saba
Brazil
British Virgin Is.
Canada
Cayman Islands
Colombia
Costa Rica
Cuba
Curaçao
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
El Salvador
French Guiana
Grenada
Guadeloupe
Guatemala
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Jamaica
Martinique
Mexico
Montserrat
Nicaragua
Panama
Peru
Puerto Rico
Saint Barthélemy
Saint Lucia
Saint Martin
Saint Vincent
Sint Maarten
St. Kitts & Nevis
Suriname
Trinidad & Tobago
Turks & Caicos
US Virgin Islands
United States
VenezuelaAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Flock
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
