Description

The brown pelican is a large, unique bird that live on shorelines and small islands in colonies with thousands of Brown Pelicans. They are common along coastlines of the southern and western United States, the Caribbean, and parts of Mexico, Central America and northern South America.

Brown Pelicans have long, thick bills and expandable pouch that they use to hold food. Adult brown pelicans have bright yellow and white head feathers with brownish-gray bodies. A brown pelican’s neck can change color from white to brown during the breeding season. Before they reach maturity, brown pelicans are entirely brown. Brown pelicans have a wingspan of about 6.5 feet and weigh up to 11 pounds.

Unlike other birds, brown pelican’s breeding season is not exclusively during late spring or summer. Their breeding season generally depends on where they live.

Amazing Facts

These precious Dinosaur birds are so graceful in flight and fly in incredible formations when in their group. When they fly just above the waters surface it looks as if they are surfing the waves. They fly low in order to search for fish. Brown Pelicans make such fast and incredible headfirst plunges into the water to catch fish. When they spot a fish, then they dive down and use their bill to scoop up and pick up the fish with water.

Brown Pelicans are Superheroes!

These precious Dinosaur birds are so graceful in flight and fly in incredible formations when in their group. When they fly just above the waters surface it looks as if they are surfing the waves. They fly low in order to search for fish. Brown Pelicans make such fast and incredible headfirst plunges into the water to catch fish. When they spot a fish, then they dive down and use their bill to scoop up and pick up the fish with water.

Conservation Status

Brown pelicans were federally listed as endangered in the 1970s and '80s due to chemicals and pesticides that entered their food chain. In 1970, the United States government listed the brown pelican as an endangered species. This status protects the pelican from being directly or indirectly impacted by humans. In 1972, the United States Environmental Protection Agency banned the use of DDT. Their population has recovered and in 2009 they were taken off from the endangered species list. However, they are still in great danger from human-caused threats and urgently need our help.

Major Threats to Brown Pelicans

• Fishing gear ingestion and entanglement

• Oil spills from offshore drilling operations and pipelines

• Overfishing

• Plastic pollution

• Wildlife cruelty and crime

• Chemical pollution

• Warming water temperature

How You Can Help

Report Distressed Pelicans

San Diego: (800) 541-7325

San Diego: (619) 299-7012

Orange County: (714) 374-5587

Los Angeles: (310) 514-2573

The brown pelican is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) of 1918

Report harassment to CALTIP Hotline: (888) 334-2258

References

Smithsonian National Zoo

Audubon Society