Brown pelican Pelecanus occidentalis

Identification Tips:

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

Adult alternate:

• White foreneck and head with yellow crown
• Chestnut neck and nape
• Gray-brown body plumage with slightly darker flight feathers

Adult basic:

• Yellowish crown
• White head and neck
• Gray-brown body plumage with slightly darker flight feathers

Immature:

• Dark brown overall, gradually acquiring adult plumage over three years

Similar species:

None.

Length and wingspan from: Robbins, C.S., Bruun, B., Zim, H.S., (1966). Birds of North America. New York: Western Publishing Company, Inc.