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Brown Pelican

Pelecanus occidentalis ORDER: PELECANIFORMES FAMILY: PELECANIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

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Brown Pelican Photo

© 2004 Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Unique among the world's seven species of pelicans, the Brown Pelican is found along the ocean shores and not on inland lakes. It is the only dark pelican, and also the only one that plunges from the air into the water to catch its food.

Read Cornell Lab of Ornithology's blog, Round Robin

Appearance

Gull-like
Gull-like
Typical Voice

Adult Description

  • Large, dark waterbird.
  • Long bill with extensible pouch.
  • Legs short.
  • Body large and heavy.
  • Feet webbed.
  • Wings long and broad.
  • Tail short.
  • Soars close to water surface.
  • Dives from the air into the water.

Immature Description

Juvenile dirty brown all over with white belly, pale line along middle of underwing. Bill gray-brown. Yearling similar, but more gray on back and with some white feathers on sides of head and neck. Bill becomes paler and may have some yellow or orange.

Range Map Help

Brown Pelican Range Map
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Similar Species

  • White Pelican is bright white, with black along the back wing edge, and a bright orange bill and pouch.
  • Gulls have more pointed and narrower wings.
  • Cormorants are darker and have a long thin neck and a long tail.