Birds · Waterbirds
Brown Pelican
Pelecanus occidentalis
Least Concern
Pelicans are large waterbirds found on coastlines and inland waters worldwide, instantly recognized by the expandable throat pouch beneath their long bill, used to scoop up fish. The brown pelican is the only species that dives from the air to catch its prey.
Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Pelecaniformes
Family: Pelecanidae
Genus: Pelecanus
Species: occidentalis
Related species: Great white, Dalmatian & Australian pelicans — genus Pelecanus
Wingspan
Up to 9.5 feet (great white pelican); brown pelicans are smaller, around 6.5 feet.
Weight
6–12 lbs, depending on species.
Habitat
Coastal waters, lakes, and estuaries.
Description
A long bill with an expandable throat pouch, short legs, and webbed feet.
Diet
Carnivore — almost exclusively fish.
Throat Pouch
Can hold up to 3 gallons of water — roughly three times the capacity of its stomach.
Feeding Style
Brown pelicans dive from the air to catch fish; most other species feed while swimming.
Flight
Strong, gliding flier often seen soaring in formation just above the waves.
Social Structure
Highly social — nests, roosts and forages in large colonies.
Clutch Size
Typically 2–3 eggs, incubated for about 30 days.
Sexually Mature
Around 3–5 years of age.
Life Span
15–25 years.
Did You Know?
A pelican's pouch can hold up to 3 gallons of water.
Did You Know?
Brown pelicans dive from the air to catch fish, unlike most pelican species that feed while swimming.
Did You Know?
The brown pelican nearly vanished from parts of the U.S. due to the pesticide DDT before recovering under legal protection.
Types of Pelicans
Brown Pelican
Pelecanus occidentalis — the only species that dives for fish
Pelecanus occidentalis — the only species that dives for fish
Great White Pelican
Pelecanus onocrotalus — one of the largest flying birds
Pelecanus onocrotalus — one of the largest flying birds
Dalmatian Pelican
Pelecanus crispus — largest freshwater pelican species
Pelecanus crispus — largest freshwater pelican species
Australian Pelican
Pelecanus conspicillatus — longest bill of any bird
Pelecanus conspicillatus — longest bill of any bird
Pink-backed Pelican
Pelecanus rufescens — found across sub-Saharan Africa
Pelecanus rufescens — found across sub-Saharan Africa
Pelican in Foreign Languages
Frenchpélican
GermanPelikan
Italianpellicano
Portuguesepelicano
Spanishpelícano
Russianpelikan
Polishpelikan
Japaneseperikan
Mandarintí'hú
Koreanpellikan
Dutchpelikaan
Swedishpelikan
Norwegianpelikan
Finnishpelikaani
