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Brown Pelican

The Brown Pelican is the smallest of the seven species of Pelicans that exist in the world. The Brown Pelican exists on both coasts of the United States. In California they are known as the California Brown Pelican. In 1970 they were listed as an Endangered species. At certain times of the year this unique bird can be seen and photographed on the Sonoma Coast.

The Brown Pelican is distinguished by its brown colored body. It dives for fish from the air. They will also feed on amphibians and crustaceans. The Brown Pelican will scan the ocean for the reflections of silvery scales of schooling fish. The Brown Pelican will search for food close to shore. The bird will hunt for its food usually within five miles of land. The Brown Pelican may eat up to as much as 4 pounds of food a day.

Groups of Pelicans can often be seen as they fly in a single file along the ocean surface. The Brown Pelican will nest on islands usually in colonies. The male will pick out a nesting site on the ground or a tree. Anchovy supply is an important part of the Brown Pelican diet and vital to the success in nesting for the species. Three eggs are usually laid. If food supply is low only one chick my survive. If food supplies are abundant 2 to 3 chicks may survive.

Pesticides like DDT and dieldrin threatened the Brown Pelican in California in the 1970′s. It was also threatened in other parts of the United States. Studies found that DDT caused the pelican eggshells to be too thin and not capable of supporting the embryo to maturity. As a result DDT was banned for use in the United States.

A Brown Pelican is a unique bird of the California Coast.