Feeding

Adult: Smaller than the American White Pelican, the Brown Pelican is still a hefty large bird. It can be identified by its dark body, white neck and feathers and yellow and white feathering on the head. Webbed feet. Strong tapered dark bill and throat pouch. It is impressive to watch squadrons of Brown Pelicans ride the beachside thermals in measured order. It is even more impressive to see them dive on a moonlit night, into the black water for fish from thirty feet or so - and come up with fish in the pouch!

Breeding adult: The white neck feathers are replaced by eye-catching reddish brown feathers on the neck and head.

Immature: First year birds are drab, with dark plumage on upperparts and white below. In the second year immature, the belly and breast parts are dark. The neck and head are dull.

Habitat: Open saltwater and coastal beaches. Mangrove plantations. Some Brown Pelicans winter inland and can be found in various spots on the St Johns River and in Lake George area, particularly on the piling at the south end of the lake.

A Florida resident. After the pink flamingo logo on the Florida Lottery, the Brown Pelican may be our most widely recognized bird.

Text by Mary Jean Rogers, West Volusia Audubon.

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