Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)
(Click on picture to enlarge)
© San Antonio, Texas - Summer 2005
Field Marks: 42". A large,
heavy-billed bird of the coastal regions. Wingspan is up to seven feet and
has a large un-feathered throat pouch. Forms loose flocks when in flight,
and is able to soar for long distances before having to flap its wings.
Often plunges to dives from heights of 20-50 feet to catch fish.
Voice: Adults are silent (rarely a
croak). Nestlings are noisy.
Where found: Coasts of the United
States to South America. These were found in Corpus Christi along the
Peoples T-head looking for handouts from fishermen. After we returned from
bay fishing the waste from the fish that were cleaned were tossed to brown
pelicans who quickly gulped them down.
Texas: Resident along the coast, breeds locally. Casually inland to n. Texas, Panhandle, Midland.
Habitat: Salt bays, Gulf.
Nest: On ground on island and in a colony. Eggs (2-3) are whitish, stained.