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