Brown Pelican

The Brown Pelican is a large, unmistakable coastal waterbird with a massive bill and throat pouch. In flight, they soar gracefully in formation just above the wave tops. This flight feather exhibits the characteristic strong white shaft and dark vane typical of a pelican wing feather.

Dark brownish-black vane grading into lighter gray tones toward the base, contrasted with a very prominent, thick, stark white rachis.

Pennaceous structure near the tip, becoming somewhat plumulaceous or frayed near the base; barbs are interlocking but show wear.

Thick, prominent white central rachis that is rigid yet flexible, with dense barbs branching out at a moderate angle.

Stiff and relatively smooth along the pennaceous tip, with a matte finish and some wear along the edges.

Wing, likely a primary or secondary flight feather given its length, stiffness, and structural rigidity.

Extremely stout and bright white rachis contrasting sharply against dark brown to blackish barbs.

Coastal marine environments, estuaries, ocean shores, mangrove swamps, and saltwater bays.

Marine coasts of the Americas, ranging from the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States down to South America.

Apex piscivorous predator in marine coastal ecosystems, serving as an important bioindicator of marine health.

Other large coastal seabirds, but the exceptionally thick white rachis combined with dark vane coloration is highly diagnostic for large Pelecanidae.

Brown Pelicans are famous for their spectacular plunge-diving technique from heights of up to 60 feet to capture fish in their throat pouches.

Pelican feathers were occasionally used in historical decorative arts or millinery, though strictly regulated today.

Look along sandy beaches, near piers, and around coastal roosting sites where pelicans frequently preen and molt flight feathers.

Good condition with some slight fraying and wear along the lower vanes, indicating it was shed naturally or weathered.

Florida, Gulf Coast