Brown Pelicans

The brown pelican population decreased throughout the entire United States after World War II because pesticides like DDT caused their eggshells to become thin. In 1970, prior to the Endangered Species Act, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed the brown pelican as endangered. The Mississippi Brown Pelican is still considered endangered although the population has increased significantly and the brown pelican has been removed from the endangered lists for some states.

The Mississippi Brown Pelican, Pelicanus occidentalis, is a large bird about 3 to 4 feet long but seems even larger because of its 6 to 8 feet wingspan. It has large webbed feet. The pelican has a long neck to match its long bill and pouch. The pouch famously has a capacity of about three gallons; however, fish are not actually stored in the pouch. Adult pelicans usually have a yellow crowned head, a white neck and white under-plumage whereas immature pelicans are mostly brown. The bill of the adult pelican becomes brightly colored during mating season. Male and female are similar in appearance.

Brown pelicans are fish eaters and are the only species of pelican that catch fish by plunging from great heights. Brown pelicans are also good swimmers and are often seen in the water.

In a harbor environment, pelicans flock (and fight!) to glean the remnants tossed by fishermen. Local pelicans know local fishermen by the sound of their boats and trucks. Once a fisherman told us that the pelicans stopped rushing to greet him after he traded in his old truck for a new one. Of course, the pelicans soon learned the sound of the new truck and once again flocked to the fish cleaning area as he drove up. When fish are being cleaned, sharing is not exactly part of pelican table manners!