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Brown Pelican

Brown Pelican

Pelecanus occidentalis

A large seabird endemic to the Americas, known for its distinctive diving behavior and massive throat pouch used for fishing

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Brown Pelican
Brown Pelican
Brown Pelican
Brown Pelican
Brown Pelican
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Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Coastal marine environments, including shorelines, estuaries, bays, and offshore islands along the Pacific, Atlantic, and Gulf coasts of North and South America

Ecological Role

Key predator in marine ecosystems, controlling fish populations and serving as an indicator species for marine environmental health

Morphology

  • SKIN COAT Dark brown to grayish plumage, white head and neck during breeding season, water-resistant feathers
  • LIMBS WINGS Broad, powerful wings for gliding and diving, webbed feet for swimming, capable of steep vertical plunge-diving
  • HEAD SENSORY Large eyes, excellent vision for detecting fish underwater, with a specialized skull structure for absorbing impact during diving
  • BODY STRUCTURE Large seabird, approximately 1.2 m wingspan, weighing 2.75-4.5 kg, with a long, pouched bill and streamlined body for diving
Data Source: TaxonHub Database
Image Credit: Mike Baird from Morro Bay, USA
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Related Species in Pelecanidae