Brown Pelican Similar Species Comparison

Main Species

Brown Pelican

  • Brown Pelican Breeding adult (Atlantic)
    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.

    © Dan Vickers | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, December 19, 2020
  • Brown Pelican Breeding adult (California)
    Breeding adult (California)

    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.

    © Bryant Olsen | Macaulay LibraryNayarit, February 05, 2016
  • Adults (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 Arbanas | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, March 19, 2007
    Not all videos have sound
  • Brown Pelican Juvenile
    Juvenile

    Juveniles look similar to adults, but are brown above with a brown neck and grayish bill.

    © Jeff Holmes | Macaulay LibraryDelaware, July 30, 2017
  • Brown Pelican Juvenile
    Juvenile

    Does not carry food in its pouch; instead it scoops up fish and releases the water before swallowing them whole.

    © Don Danko | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, May 13, 2019
  • Breeding 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 McGowan | Macaulay LibraryBaja California, March 07, 2014
    Not all videos have sound
  • Brown Pelican Breeding adult (California)
    Breeding adult (California)

    Graceful flier often seen flying low over the waves, gathering lift as the waves break.

    © Grace Oliver | Macaulay LibraryWashington, May 17, 2017
  • Brown Pelican Juvenile
    Juvenile

    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, 2014
  • Adults (Atlantic)

    Brown Pelicans regularly form large groups year-round. They often preen or loaf on sand bars or open beaches in groups.

    © Benjamin Clock | Macaulay LibraryLouisiana, July 13, 2010
    Not all videos have sound
  • Brown Pelican Nonbreeding adult
    Nonbreeding 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, 2009
  • Brown Pelican Habitat
    Habitat

    Plunges head first into water, scooping up fish with its expandable throat pouch.

    © Andrew Newmark | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, July 25, 2020
  • Adults (Atlantic)

    Often flies just above water's surface in small flocks. While in flight, predominant gliding is interspersed with strong, steady wingbeats.

    © Larry Arbanas | Macaulay LibraryTexas
    Not all videos have sound
  • Brown Pelican Habitat
    Habitat

    Found year-round in estuaries and coastal marine habitats, often in flocks.

    © Mary Harrell | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, June 26, 2017
  • Brown Pelican Habitat
    Habitat

    Common coastal bird often seen standing on rocks or pilings near shore.

    © Tim Lenz | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, December 01, 2013
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    Species in This Family

    Pelicans(Order: Pelecaniformes, Family: Pelecanidae)

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