(Credit: U. S. Geological Survey)

Brown Pelican - Pelecanus occidentalis

Identification Tips:

  1. Length: 41 inches Wingspan: 90 inches
  2. Sexes similar
  3. Huge, dark bird
  4. Long bill with a pouch, dark on Atlantic/Gulf coasts; bill paler along Pacific coast, becomes yellow during breeding season
  5. Flies with neck tucked
  6. Plunges from great heights into water to catch fish

Adult alternate:

  1. White foreneck and head with yellow crown
  2. Chestnut neck and nape
  3. Gray-brown body plumage with slightly darker flight feathers

Adult basic:

  1. Yellowish crown
  2. White head and neck
  3. Gray-brown body plumage with slightly darker flight feathers

Immature:

  1. Dark brown overall, gradually acquiring adult plumage over three years

Similar species:

None.