Brown Pelican

Brown pelicans are the only species of pelican whose habitat is strictly marine; it is never found farther than 20 miles out to sea or inland on fresh water. The brown pelican is one of the most spectacular fishermen of all birds, folding its wings and plummeting into the water from heights of up to 40 feet. It flies very close to the surface of the water, intermittently flapping its wings and then gliding. Now common in coastal areas of the southern United States, the fish-eating brown pelican was decimated by pesticide poisoning in the 1960s.

Brown Pelican

Brown Pelican

Brown Pelican

Brown Pelican

Brown Pelican