Brown Pelican
Breeding adult (Atlantic)
Large and stocky seabird with a long neck and giant bill. Breeding adults have a dark neck and a pale yellow head. Birds from the Atlantic Coast have brown skin on their throat pouch.
© Jeff Sexton | Macaulay LibraryTexas, January 28, 2017Breeding adult (Pacific)
Heavy bodied seabird with a giant bill. During the breeding season their heads have a light golden wash. Breeding adults along the Pacific Coast have red skin on their throat pouch.
© Carole Rose | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, December 25, 2016Adults (Atlantic)
Typically forages for schooling fish by diving head-first into shallow waters of coastal estuaries or oceans. Occasionally forages from the water's surface when the water is too murky or shallow for diving.
© Larry R Arbanas | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, March 19, 2007Not all videos have soundJuvenile
Juveniles look similar to adults, but are brown above with a brown neck and grayish bill.
© Jeff Holmes | Macaulay LibraryDelaware, July 30, 2017Juvenile
Does not carry food in its pouch; instead it scoops up fish and releases the water before swallowing them whole.
© Diego Oscar | Macaulay LibraryQuintana Roo, February 25, 2017Breeding adult with juveniles (Pacific) and Western Gull
Parents begin feed nestlings a few hours after hatching until young are capable of flight at around 11–12 weeks old. After the young leave the nest, parents rarely continue feeding them.
© Jay W McGowan | Macaulay LibraryBaja California, March 07, 2014Not all videos have soundBreeding adult (Pacific)
Graceful flier often seen flying low over the waves, gathering lift as the waves break.
© Grace Oliver | Macaulay LibraryWashington, May 17, 2017Juvenile
Scoops fish out of the water using expandable throat pouch. Before swallowing the fish, they drain the water out of the pouch.
© Darren Clark | Macaulay LibraryGalápagos, September 05, 2014Adults (Atlantic)
Brown Pelicans regularly form large groups year-round. They often preen or loaf on sand bars or open beaches in groups.
© Benjamin M Clock | Macaulay LibraryLouisiana, July 13, 2010Not all videos have soundNonbreeding adult
Often rests with its head on its shoulder. Nonbreeding birds have a slight yellow wash on their head and a white neck.
© Tim Lenz | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, November 07, 2009Habitat
Plunges head first into water, scooping up fish with its expandable throat pouch.
© Ben Leff | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, March 26, 2017Adults (Atlantic)
Often flies just above water's surface in small flocks. While in flight, predominant gliding is interspersed with strong, steady wingbeats.
© Larry R Arbanas | Macaulay LibraryTexasNot all videos have soundHabitat
Found year-round in estuaries and coastal marine habitats, often in flocks.
© Mary Harrell | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, June 26, 2017Habitat
Common coastal bird often seen standing on rocks or pilings near shore.
© Tim Lenz | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, December 01, 2013