Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)

Description: These birds are easily identifiable by their big bodies, long necks, and even more massive bills. These bills have a pouch that helps the bird scoop up small schooling fish after it dives down into the water and stuns its prey. In the past, pelican populations were very threatened by the pesticide known as DDT; this chemical caused pelican eggs to develop thinner shells, which cracked under the weight of the parent during incubation. Fortunately, pesticide regulations have led to a brown pelican comeback. In Cannon Beach, brown pelicans are spotted flying right past the rock as they head to a nearby estuary where they live and feed.  

Habitat: Brown pelicans are found gliding through the air along the coastline in large groups. During non-breeding periods of the year, brown pelicans are found along the entire U.S. Pacific Coast.

Nesting: Although brown pelicans do not nest around Haystack rock, it is common to see them flying and foraging in the area after nesting season is over in the late summer and early fall. During breeding season, brown pelicans nest in California and Baja California. They lay 2 to 4 eggs (typically 3), and incubate for 28-30 days. Both parents share responsibility incubating the eggs and feeding chicks for 5 to 9 weeks after they hatch. Chicks fledge at around 12 weeks old.

Diet: Using the plunging technique to catch fish, brown pelicans quickly drop down into the ocean head first and fill their bill with water and fish. Although brown pelicans are know to sometimes eat crustaceans, they heavily favor small fish of many kinds including smelt and anchovies.

Tide Pool Tidbits:

• Their bills can fill up with up to 2.6 gallons of water!

• Brown pelicans drain the water from their bills after diving for fish, and gulls have been documented trying to steal fish out of a pelican’s bill during this process. 

• In an effort that scientists assume is to protect the trachea and esophagus of the bird, brown pelicans will tuck their heads and rotate their bodies to the left as they dive into the water. The reason why scientists believe this is an attempt for protection is because the trachea and esophagus are found on the right side of a brown pelican’s neck.

Reference: The Cornell Lab, Audubon