Brown Pelican

Pelecanus occidentalis

Appearance:

Very large aerial waterbird

Smallest of the pelicans

Large, grayish bill with an expandable pouch on the bottom

Gray-brown back, rump and tail

Long, broad wings

Short tail

Immature: (above)

   Gray-brown head and neck

   White underparts

Adult:  (right)

   White head and neck

   Blackish-brown breast and belly

   Chestnet on back of neck during breeding

   Reddish on underside of throat during breeding

Listen to its call.

Brown Pelicans are not commonly seen in Victoria. You hear of the odd report now and then but nothing like this year. Sightings of these birds are being reported daily in the vicinity of the Inner Harbour in downtown Victoria. As many as twenty-one were seen by one observer, according to the Rare Bird Alert. I spotted a group of eight of them today between Fisherman's Wharf and Laurel Point. 

Talk of pelicans always reminds me of my mother saying "A funny old bird is a pelican. His beak can hold more than his bellican. Food for a week he can hold in his beak but I don't know how the hellican".

Learn more about the Brown Pelican.