Brown Pelican

The Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) is unmistakable since it is the only common pelican of our area. It dwells in the Pacific Coast from Washington to N Peru, Atlantic, Gulf and Caribbean coasts and islands from North Carolina to E Venezuela.

109cm (43”), 3kg. Body dark gray-brown; upperparts feathers with silvery “frosting”; head and neck white; bill brownish; pouch and facial skin grayish; feet black. Young: Head, neck and upperparts brown; belly white. Breeding: neck black; chestnut nuchal crest; head tinged with yellowish; orbital skin reddish; bill with rosy tinge.