The Brown Pelican - Pelecanus occidentalis - is found along
the ocean shores and on only a few inland lakes in the southwestern U.S. It is the
only dark pelican, and also the only one that plunges from the air into the
water to catch its food. Groups of Brown Pelicans often travel in single file,
flying low over the water's surface.
Description
This bird is distinguished from the American White Pelican
by its brown body and its habit of diving for food from the air, as opposed to
co-operative fishing from the surface. Regarding plumage, both sexes are alike,
although males are on average slightly larger. Adults have silvery grey-brown
body plumage, with blackish flight feathers and a yellow and white head with
chestnut nape and hind neck. In adult birds the plumage plays a significant
role in communication. During the breeding period, prior to nesting, the hind
neck becomes vibrant dark reddish brown. In the winter or during the
non-breeding period the head and neck are mainly white.
Brown Pelicans have yellow eyes and dark blue-grey facial
skin. Their bill is grey or yellowish, with a scarlet cast on the distal
portion. Their pouch varies from red to greenish or blackish and their legs and
feet are blue-grey to black.
Juveniles are generally brown above and white below and it takes
them about three years to attain their adult plumage.
Call
Generally silent away from the nesting colony. Nestling squawks for food;
adults have low, hoarse display calls.
Food
It eats mainly fish, amphibians and crustaceans. Brown Pelicans feed on
mid-sized fish that they capture by diving from above and then scooping or
dipping the fish into their pouch, which acts as a flexible dip net. Although
they do feed on anchovies and sardines most of their prey has little commercial
value. They are the only species of pelican that hunts with such dramatic
plunging dives.
Breeding
The nest location varies from a simple scrape on the ground on an island to
a bulky stick nest in a low tree. These birds nest in colonies, usually on islands.
In each clutch, females lay 2 to 3 chalky/white eggs, in March or April.
Incubation lasts 28 to 30 days. Both parents care for the naked, helpless
chicks. They feed their chicks by regurgitation. Fledging requires 63 to 76
days, with little or no post fledging care depending on the length of time the
young spent in the nest. Sexual maturity is reached after two to five years.
Conservation Status – Least Concern
Although globally abundant, Brown Pelicans were once severely endangered in
the United States.
The major cause of their decline was pesticide poisoning. Since DDT was banned,
there has been a full recovery on the east coast and other populations are
showing steady improvement. Threats today include becoming snarled in abandoned
fishing lines and flying into overhead wires. Other factors include human
disturbance of nesting colonies and reduction of fish stocks by excessive
commercial fishing.
Bird watching
The brown pelican can be found in coastal areas like sandy beaches and
lagoons. It can also be found around waterfronts and marinas. They are familiar
sight around fishing ports within their range, where they roost on piers,
docks, and fishing boats feeding on scraps.
Louisiana Birding Hotspots
Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge
Sabine NWR
Cameron Prairie NWR
Martin Vincent NWR
White Kitchen Sanctuary
The Barataria Preserve
Bayou Cocodrie NWR
Catahoula NWR [RAMSAR]
Lake
Ophelia National Wildlife
Refuge Complex
Grand Cote National
Wildlife Refuge
North Louisiana Wildlife
Refuge Complex
D'Arbonne National Wildlife Refuge
Handy Brake National Wildlife Refuge
Upper Ouachita National Wildlife Refuge
Louisiana Wetland Management District
Atchafalaya National
Wildlife Refuge
Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge
Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge
Breton National Wildlife Refuge
Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge
Delta National Wildlife Refuge
Shell Keys National Wildlife Refuge
Tensas
River National Wildlife
Refuge