The Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) is a member of the pelican family, Pelecanidae. It is one of the smaller pelican species, yet remains a large seabird with a distinctive long bill and large throat pouch. The adult pelican is noted for its brown and gray plumage, with a white head and neck during the nonbreeding season and a yellowish wash on the crown during breeding. The nape and neck are dark maroon-brown, and the legs range from olivaceous gray to blackish-gray.
Adult Brown Pelicans are identified by their white and yellowish heads with a dark brown nape during breeding season, transitioning to a white head and neck in nonbreeding adults. Juveniles are overall grayish-brown with paler underparts. In flight, they are graceful with a steady wingbeat and can be seen gliding low over the water's surface.
This species is strictly marine, favoring shallow waters near coasts, estuaries, and beaches. It is also found in mangrove swamps and occasionally inland freshwater lakes.
The Brown Pelican is found along the Atlantic Coast from New Jersey to the Amazon River, and along the Pacific Coast from British Columbia to Peru, including the Galapagos Islands. It is a resident species with some populations showing migratory behavior, particularly in the northern parts of its range.
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