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Brown Pelican

Pelecanus occidentalis

Brown Pelican

Pelecanus occidentalis
Other Common Names
Common Pelican
At the Aquarium
Behind-The-Scenes, Presentation Spaces
Other Common Names
Common Pelican

At the Aquarium

Behind-The-Scenes, Presentation Spaces

Appearance

The brown pelican has a long narrow bill, a curved, thin neck and a big, dark body. They are gray-brown with yellow heads and white necks. While in breeding plumage, the backs and sides of their necks become a dark reddish-brown. During the breeding season on the Pacific Coast, brown pelicans have red skin on their throats while those on the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts are a little smaller and the skin on their throats is greenish black.

Like other pelicans, this species has a stretchy throat pouch called a gular pouch which is used for capturing fish. Juveniles are gray-brown with a whitish belly and breast. Brown pelicans are the smallest species of pelican despite having a wingspan of 6.5 to 7 feet. They grow to lengths of 48 to 50 inches.

Habitat

Shallow inshore waters, estuaries and bays

Diet

Sardines, anchovies, shrimps, carrion and nestling egrets

Life History

Breeding season varies depending on location. In the north of its range brown pelicans breed during the spring, whereas in the tropics they breed year round. After breeding season, flocks of brown pelicans move north along both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Brown pelicans move southward to warmer waters by winter.

Brown pelicans gather in colonies and some stay together over several years. They nest on the ground, sometimes on cliffs, and less often in trees or bushes. Nest materials are gathered by males and assembled by females. They lay 2 to 4 white eggs. Both males and females incubate the eggs. This incubation period lasts 28 to 30 days. If the nest site is on the ground the young begin to walk out of the nest about 35 days after hatching. If the nest is elevated the young won’t leave the nest until 63 to 80 days after hatching, when they are able to fly.

IUCN Status

Least Concern

Ecosystem & Cultural Importance

The brown pelican almost faced extinction because of the use of pesticides in the 1960s and 1970s. They were among the first group of federally endangered species in the United States under the 1970 Endangered Species Act. Between the ban on DDT (a pesticide with toxic environmental impacts) and conservation efforts, brown pelican populations have recovered. The brown pelican was removed from the Endangered Species List in 2009.

The brown pelican is the official state bird of Louisiana. The brown pelican is also the national bird of Bardbados, Saint Martin, Saint Kitts and Nevis and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Brown pelicans are top predators in the marine food web. Not only do they help regulate prey populations, they can also help indicate disruptions to the ecosystem like those caused by climate change or overfishing.
Range
In the Americas, breeding along the Pacific coast from California to Chile and along the Atlantic coast from South Carolina to Venezuela. In the non-breeding season it ranges as far as Canada and Tierra del Fuego, Chile.
On the Oregon Coast
Brown pelicans are commonly found along beaches and around estuaries on the Oregon coast. They are often observed during the spring, summer and fall, foraging in large flocks over the ocean just offshore.
Fun Facts
Brown pelicans feed by diving into the water, the impact of their bodies stunning small fish. They then scoop the fish up in their expandable gular pouch. Brown pelicans often fly in groups, flapping and gliding in single file and in unison.

Citations & Other Resources

  • BirdLife International. 2018. Pelecanus occidentalis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018.
  • Alsop, F. 2001. Birds of North America (1st American ed.). DK.
  • Cornell Lab of Ornithology. N.d. Brown Pelican Identification. All About Birds. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Brown_Pelican/id
  • Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife. N.d. Brown Pelican. https://myodfw.com/wildlife-viewing/species/brown-pelican
  • National Audubon Society. N.d. Brown Pelican. Audubon Field Guide. https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/brown-pelican
  • Evans, K. O., J.B. Davis and G. Wang. 2023. Assessing long‐term dynamics of non‐breeding Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) populations using Christmas Bird Count data. Ibis (London, England), 165(1), 55–68. https://doi.org/10.1111/ibi.13105
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Since opening in 1992, the Oregon Coast Aquarium has been a premier attraction on Oregon’s central coast and an enduring advocate for the health of our ocean. For over three decades this 501(c)3 non-profit organization has supported marine wildlife and fostered environmental stewardship through its education programs, community partnerships, and rehabilitation efforts. Accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, the Oregon Coast Aquarium is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 aquariums in the U.S., providing visitors with opportunities to connect with 15,000 animals spanning 300 different species. The Oregon Coast Aquarium is located at 2820 S.E. Ferry Slip Rd., Newport, OR. Learn more about the Oregon Coast Aquarium and its vital work at aquarium.org, 541-867-3474. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter for the latest updates.

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