Brown pelican
Pelecanus occidentalis
The brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) is a bird of the pelican family, Pelecanidae, one of three species found in the Americas and one of two that feed by diving into water.
About the Brown pelican
The brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) is a bird of the pelican family, Pelecanidae, one of three species found in the Americas and one of two that feed by diving into water. It is found on the Atlantic Coast from New Jersey to the mouth of the Amazon River, and along the Pacific Coast from British Columbia to Peru, including the Galapagos Islands. The nominate subspecies in its breeding plumage has a white head with a yellowish wash on the crown. The nape and neck are dark maroon–brown. The upper sides of the neck have white lines along the base of the gular pouch, and the lower fore neck has a pale yellowish patch. The male and female are similar, but the female is slightly smaller. The nonbreeding adult has a white head and neck. The pink skin around the eyes becomes dull and gray i
Fun Facts About Brown pelican
- Six to 9 weeks after hatching, the juveniles leave the nest, and gather into small groups known as pods.
- The nominate subspecies in its breeding plumage has a white head with a yellowish wash on the crown.
- The newly hatched chicks are pink, turning gray or black within 4 to 14 days.
- The brown pelican mainly feeds on fish, but occasionally eats amphibians, crustaceans, and the eggs and nestlings of birds.
- It was listed under the United States Endangered Species Act from 1970 to 2009, as pesticides such as dieldrin and DDT threatened its future in the Southeastern United States and California.
Conservation Status
The Brown pelican is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. This species is currently stable and not at significant risk of population decline.
Taxonomy & Classification
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | pelicans |
| Genus | Pelecanus |
| Species | Pelecanus occidentalis |
Range & Habitat
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Other species in the pelicans family: