Brown Pelican

A large, unmistakable coastal waterbird with a long bill and expandable throat pouch. Brown Pelicans are famous for their dramatic plunge-diving behavior to scoop up fish from the ocean surface. They have a dark body, a whitish neck that turns yellowish during breeding season, and a massive wingspan.

Solid grayish-brown to dark brown coloration with a lighter, pale cream or whitish rachis; melanin-based pigmentation typical of adult non-breeding plumage

Pennaceous vane with tightly interlocked barbs and barbicels, firm and intact structure

Sturdy, thick, pale yellowish-white central rachis with high barb density and uniform angle of barbs along the length

Smooth, firm, and slightly glossy texture with good water-resistant qualities, stiff vane rigidity

Body contour or upper back/scapular region, determined by the broad shape and uniform coloration

Large size, uniform brownish-grey color, stout pale rachis, and firm pennaceous web designed for water resistance

Marine and coastal environments, including salt marshes, ocean beaches, bays, and estuaries

Coastal waters of the Americas, ranging from the Atlantic coast of the United States down to South America, as well as the Pacific coast

Apex piscivore in coastal marine ecosystems, acting as an important ecological indicator of ocean health and fish population stability

Other large waterbirds such as cormorants or gulls, though their feathers usually differ significantly in size, texture, and coloration

Brown Pelicans were once severely threatened by the pesticide DDT in the mid-20th century, leading to near extinction in parts of their range, but have made a remarkable recovery following the ban of DDT

Historically used by indigenous coastal peoples for various ceremonial and utilitarian purposes. Feathers were also collected during the millinery trade era, though less targeted than plume-bearing egrets

Look along coastal beaches, near marine roosts, or around pelican nesting colonies on isolated islands

Good condition, clean vane with minimal fraying at the base, intact barbs, showing no signs of severe sun bleaching or parasite damage