Brown Pelican
The photos that I’m posting today were shot in west Florida and East Georgia.
Brown Pelican
The Brown Pelican occurs on both coasts in the Americas. On the Atlantic Coast and Gulf Coast they distribute from Nova Scotia to Venezuela, and to the mouth of the Amazon River. On the Pacific Ocean they are found from British Columbia to south central Chile, and including the Galapagos Islands.
Some immature birds may stray to inland freshwater lakes. After nesting, North American birds move in flocks further north along the coasts, returning to warmer waters for winter.
This bird is distinguished from the American White Pelican by its brown body and its habit of diving for fish from the air, as opposed to co-operative fishing from the surface. It eats mainly fish and amphibians as well as crustaceans. Groups of Brown Pelicans often travel in single file, flying low over the water’s surface.
The nest location varies from a simple scrape on the ground on an island to a bulky stick nest in a low tree. These birds nest in colonies, usually on islands.
Click on images to see enlargements
Text and photographs © H.J. Ruiz – Avian 101
H.J. Ruiz - Avian101 
When we were in Mexico a brown pelican used to fish in the salt water pool at our hotel!
Did they have fish in the pool? Thanks for your observation. 🙂
It was one with a tidal inlet so lots of tiny fish escaping the big fish got munched by the pelican
We will be vacationing in Florida in a few months time, hoping to photograph some of these wonderful birds. Have a super day my friend.
That sounds wonderful D.! You’ll enjoy that very much, I’m sure! Thanks! 🙂
Beautiful shots H.J. :O)
Thanks BD! 🙂
I love Brown Pelicans. Up here in Calgary Alberta they enjoy our huge Bow River. Last summer 5 flew right over our house as my hubby and I were out in the yard and it was such a beautiful sight. They have such an elegant choreography in their actions. I’d seen it with their shared diving and eating, but even in flight they are completely aligned with each other. Great photography of yours, and I love birds so I am excited to follow and learn more here! Cheers!
Actually I sit corrected… I think they are White Pelicans. Here’s another WordPress blog about birds in Calgary! (I just love WordPress) http://birdscalgary.wordpress.com/2011/06/25/perfect-pelicans/
The brown pelicans are smaller in size and have most of the under wing feathers and front of body white.
Thank you for this. I appreciate it.
Thank you Gina, I’m glad that you like it! 🙂
I didn’t even know there was such a thing as a brown pelican – wonderful!
There are several species of the same family, the brown one is one of the smaller kinds. 🙂
I’ve always loved pelicans. They and hummingbirds might be my favorite common birds. I say common because I probably like owls and eagles better but I rarely see them.
🙂