Brown Pelican Similar Species Comparison
Similar Species
American White Pelican
Breeding adult
American White Pelicans are larger than Brown Pelicans. They are bright white with sharply contrasting black wingtips unlike Brown Pelicans.
© Paul Hueber | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, March 31, 2012Similar Species
Double-crested Cormorant
Breeding adult
Double-crested Cormorant are much smaller, darker birds with longer necks and smaller bills than Brown Pelicans.
© Evan Lipton | Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, July 16, 2016Similar Species
Black-footed Albatross
Adult
Black-footed Albatross are much larger than Brown Pelicans with longer more pointed wings. Their bill, while large, is smaller than the Brown Pelican's bill.
© Brian Sullivan | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, July 25, 2009Main Species
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.
© Dan Vickers | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, December 19, 2020Breeding 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, 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 Arbanas | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, March 19, 2007Juvenile
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.
© Don Danko | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, May 13, 2019Breeding 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, 2014Breeding adult (California)
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 Clock | Macaulay LibraryLouisiana, July 13, 2010Nonbreeding 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.
© Andrew Newmark | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, July 25, 2020Adults (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 LibraryTexasHabitat
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, 2013Compare with Similar Species
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Species in This Family
Pelicans(Order: Pelecaniformes, Family: Pelecanidae)
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