The brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) is a large seabird found on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of North and South America. Brown pelicans are very large birds, with wingspans reaching over 7 feet. Their most distinctive feature is the large throat pouch used for catching fish. While brown pelicans are mostly brown in color, their belly is white. In this article, we’ll explore what makes the brown pelican unique, its habitat, diet, and conservation status.
Appearance and Species
Plumage
Brown pelicans are predominantly brown in color, with dark brown bodies and wings. The head is darker brown than the rest of the body. The belly is white, which contrasts sharply with the dark plumage. The throat pouch is greyish pink. The eyes are yellow with red rims. The bill is sturdy and up to 13 inches long.
Size
Brown pelicans are very large birds, with a wingspan between 6.5-7.5 feet. They measure 4-5 feet from bill to tail. Females are generally smaller than males. Brown pelicans weigh between 6-15 pounds.
Species
There are 6 recognized subspecies of the brown pelican:
- P. o. carolinensis – Atlantic coast of North America
- P. o. californicus – Pacific coast of North America
- P. o. urinator – Caribbean islands
- P. o. murphyi – Pacific coast of South America
- P. o. plotus – Galapagos Islands
- P. o. rothschildi – West coast of Baja California
The nominate P. o. carolinensis and P. o. californicus are the most widespread subspecies in North America. The Caribbean P. o. urinator is the smallest subspecies.
Habitat and Range
Breeding
Brown pelicans nest in colonies on coastal islands with no natural predators. Breeding typically occurs February through March in the United States. The oldest breeding colonies are located in the Gulf of Mexico, such as the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida.
Migration
Northern populations of the brown pelican migrate south in winter, while southern populations are year-round residents. Northern migrants travel as far south as Venezuela.
Range
Brown pelicans have a large range covering both coasts of North America and South America. Along the Atlantic coast their range stretches from Nova Scotia to Venezuela. On the Pacific coast they are found from British Columbia to northern Chile, including the Galapagos Islands.
Diet and Hunting
Prey
Brown pelicans feed mainly on fish such as herring, mullet, anchovies, and smelt. They also occasionally eat amphibians and crustaceans. The diet consists of whichever small marine species are abundant near the colony.
Hunting
Brown pelicans hunt by diving headfirst into the water to catch prey in their throat pouch. They may submerge completely underwater momentarily when diving. Pelicans work together to herd fish into shallow water to make them easier to catch.
Feeding
After catching fish in the elastic throat pouch, pelicans drain the pouch of sea water before swallowing the fish. The pouch can hold up to 3 gallons of water and carry several pounds of fish at a time. Pelicans often steal food from each other as well.
Breeding and Nesting
Courtship
Pelicans return to the same nesting colonies each year. Courtship begins shortly after arrival, with pairs engaging in elaborate displays and vocalizations. Dark head feathers become erect during courtship. Pairs remain monogamous for a breeding season but may find new mates in following years.
Nesting
Both sexes help build the nest by arranging sticks at a density that prevents eggs from rolling out. Nest sites are often reused from previous years. Colonies may contain thousands of nests clustered closely together.
Eggs and Young
Females lay 2-3 chalky white eggs in the nest. Parents take turns incubating eggs for 30 days until hatching. Chicks hatch naked and helpless but grow quickly. They fledge at about 9 weeks of age but remain dependent on their parents afterwards. Parents regurgitate food for the chicks.
Conservation Status
Population Declines
Brown pelican numbers suffered huge declines in the 1950s and 60s due to impacts from DDT and other pesticides. The eggshells became thin and fragile due to DDT, causing breeding failure. Populations fell to the low hundreds.
Recovery
After DDT was banned in 1972, brown pelican populations began recovering. The species was federally listed as endangered but removed from the list in 2009 when populations rebounded. Ongoing threats include pollution, disturbance, and declining fish stocks.
Current Status
Brown pelicans remain a species of least concern on the IUCN Red List. There are now over 650,000 individuals globally. However, some subspecies have much lower numbers, including endangered populations in the Caribbean.
| Subspecies | Population Estimate | Range |
|---|---|---|
| P. o. carolinensis | 200,000-250,000 | Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, USA and Mexico |
| P. o. californicus | 150,000-200,000 | Pacific Coast, USA and Mexico |
| P. o. urinator | 3,300-4,700 | Caribbean islands |
| P. o. murphyi | 60,000-90,000 | Pacific coast South America |
| P. o. plotus | 350-400 | Galapagos Islands |
| P. o. rothschildi | 5,000-10,000 | West coast Baja California |
Conclusion
In summary, the brown pelican is a large coastal seabird distinguished by its huge throat pouch for catching fish. While mostly brown, the white belly provides a sharp contrast. Brown pelicans inhabit estuaries and coastlines across the Americas, nesting in dense colonies on islands. Their populations crashed due to DDT but have since rebounded following protective measures. The brown pelican remains an iconic bird along both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.
