Big Guys

It’s nearly impossible not to see some Brown Pelicans if you visit Florida beaches or harbors. And sometimes you may even see White Pelicans in the vicinity. The Brown Pelicans are large birds but smaller that their other Pelican species. Let’s find out a bit more information about these birds.

The Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) is a small pelican found in the Americas. It is one of the best known and most prominent birds found in the coastal areas of the southern and western United States. It is one of only three pelican species found in the Western Hemisphere. The brown pelican is one of the only two pelican species which feeds by diving into the water.

This bird is readily distinguished from the American white pelican by its non-white plumage, smaller size and its habit of diving for fish from the air, as opposed to co-operative fishing from the surface. The Peruvian pelican, previously considered a subspecies of brown pelican, is now considered to be a separate species. It has very similar plumage to the brown, but it is noticeably larger. The brown and Peruvian pelicans may overlap in some areas along the Pacific coast of South America.

Tags: birds, Brown Pelican, nature, photography, photos of birds

19 thoughts on “Big Guys”

roamingpursuits on December 19, 2014 at 8:32 am said:

Good photos.

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- avian101 on December 19, 2014 at 9:02 am said:
  
  Thank you! 🙂
  
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Jet Eliot on December 19, 2014 at 10:56 am said:

Beautiful action shots, HJ. 🙂

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- avian101 on December 19, 2014 at 11:28 am said:
  
  Thanks Jet! I thought that would be interesting to see how they catch fish. 🙂
  
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susanpoozan on December 19, 2014 at 12:19 pm said:

We have Pelicans here in London, are they a different species?

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- avian101 on December 19, 2014 at 12:50 pm said:
  
  I don’t think so. They may have morphs with some other colors but most likely are the same species. The other species are larger. Thanks Susan! 🙂
  
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Birder's Journey on December 19, 2014 at 5:02 pm said:

I think you’re absolutely right – it IS hard NOT to see Pelicans here in Florida; we see them all the time in the inlets and flying over the beaches. I love their bomb-diver style of fishing!

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- avian101 on December 20, 2014 at 12:05 am said:
  
  Thanks so much for sharing! 🙂
  
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tootlepedal on December 19, 2014 at 5:34 pm said:

Well captured HJ.

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- avian101 on December 20, 2014 at 12:05 am said:
  
  Thanks Tom! 🙂
  
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Emma Sarah Tennant on December 19, 2014 at 9:03 pm said:

Pelicans are such serious looking birds, I really do like them! Look forward to more bird stories in 2015 – till then enjoy the silly, happy, merry holiday season! 🙂

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- avian101 on December 20, 2014 at 12:07 am said:
  
  Thanks Emma! Same best wishes for you! 🙂
  
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Tiny on December 19, 2014 at 9:53 pm said:

These guys are so fun to watch as they always provide so much action! Great pics!

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- avian101 on December 20, 2014 at 12:08 am said:
  
  Thank you very much dear Tiny! 🙂
  
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clarepooley33 on December 20, 2014 at 4:52 am said:

Good action shots, HJ! They catch fish just like Gannets (Sula bassana) do – really spectacular plummeting down into the sea.

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- avian101 on December 20, 2014 at 10:41 am said:
  
  That’s right Clare! I’m impressed with your knowledge of birds from your area! Thanks! 🙂
  
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  - clarepooley33 on December 20, 2014 at 6:57 pm said:
    
    You’re welcome and thank-you too!
Thom Hickey on December 22, 2014 at 2:08 pm said:

Thanks – I have thoroughly enjoyed my visits to your blog this year. Best wishes for the season and 2015. Thom

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- avian101 on December 22, 2014 at 2:10 pm said:
  
  Thank you very much Thom! I appreciate it! Have a prosperous new 2015!
  
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