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Brown Pelican

Pelecanus occidentalis

Bird · family Pelecanidae · order Pelecaniformes

  1. G1
    Critically imperiled
  2. G2
    Imperiled
  3. G3
    Vulnerable
  4. G4
    Apparently secure
  5. G5
    Secure

NatureServe global rank G4: apparently secure[2].

Updated October 30, 2026. Published by Humblebee.

Brown Pelican
Photo: Alan D. Wilson, www.naturespicsonline.com (original photograph), Papa Lima Whiskey (image edit), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Endangered Species Act
Delisted (recovered)[1]
NatureServe global rank
G4 Apparently Secure[2]
Native in
18 states[3]
Oldest known wild bird
27 years[4]

The Brown Pelican is a fish-eating bird in the pelican family[5][6]. NatureServe ranks it G4, Apparently Secure, around the world, and lists it as native in 18 US states and territories[2][3].

Conservation status

NatureServe gives the Brown Pelican a global rank of G4, which means Apparently Secure[2]. In the United States the rank is N4B,N4N, Apparently Secure for both breeding and nonbreeding birds[7]. The IUCN Red List category recorded by NatureServe is Least concern[8]. The bird was first listed under the Endangered Species Act on June 2, 1970, and was later removed from the list because it recovered[1][9]. Today it is not listed as endangered or threatened under the ESA[10]. It is still on the federal list of migratory birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act[11].

Status Value
Endangered Species Act[1] Delisted after recovery
NatureServe global rank[2] G4 (Apparently Secure)
NatureServe US rank[7] N4B,N4N (Apparently Secure (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding))
IUCN Red List (via NatureServe)[8] Least concern
Migratory Bird Treaty Act[11] Protected
Total population (NatureServe estimate)[12] 100,000 to 1,000,000 individuals

Where Brown Pelican lives

NatureServe lists the Brown Pelican as native in 18 US states and territories: Alabama, Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Jersey, Nevada, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia and Washington[3]. A state list shows where NatureServe records the bird, not a promise that you will see it there[3]. Most observation records on GBIF come from California, Florida, Texas, North Carolina and South Carolina, but those counts follow where people look and report, not how many birds live there[13].

Alaska: not recordedAKMaine: not recordedMEWisconsin: not recordedWIVermont: not recordedVTNew Hampshire: not recordedNHWashington: native, state rank S3NWAIdaho: not recordedIDMontana: not recordedMTNorth Dakota: not recordedNDMinnesota: not recordedMNIllinois: native, state rank SNAILMichigan: not recordedMINew York: not recordedNYMassachusetts: not recordedMAOregon: native, state rank S2NORNevada: native, state rank S1NNVWyoming: not recordedWYSouth Dakota: not recordedSDIowa: not recordedIAIndiana: not recordedINOhio: not recordedOHPennsylvania: not recordedPANew Jersey: native, state rank S4NNJConnecticut: not recordedCTRhode Island: not recordedRICalifornia: native, state rank SNRCAUtah: not recordedUTColorado: not recordedCONebraska: not recordedNEMissouri: not recordedMOKentucky: not recordedKYWest Virginia: not recordedWVVirginia: native, state rank S2B,S3NVAMaryland: native, state rank S1BMDDelaware: native, state rank S1NDEArizona: native, state rank S1NAZNew Mexico: not recordedNMKansas: not recordedKSArkansas: not recordedARTennessee: not recordedTNNorth Carolina: native, state rank S2B,S4NNCSouth Carolina: native, state rank S4B,S4NSCDistrict of Columbia: not recordedDCOklahoma: not recordedOKLouisiana: native, state rank S3LAMississippi: native, state rank S3MSAlabama: native, state rank S3ALGeorgia: native, state rank S2GAHawaii: not recordedHITexas: native, state rank S3BTXFlorida: native, state rank S3FLPuerto Rico: not recordedPR
State presence as recorded by NatureServe[14].
Show state ranks (18 states)
StateRankMeaning
AlabamaS3Vulnerable
ArizonaS1NCritically Imperiled (nonbreeding)
CaliforniaSNRNot Ranked
DelawareS1NCritically Imperiled (nonbreeding)
FloridaS3Vulnerable
GeorgiaS2Imperiled
IllinoisSNANot Applicable
LouisianaS3Vulnerable
MarylandS1BCritically Imperiled (breeding)
MississippiS3Vulnerable
NevadaS1NCritically Imperiled (nonbreeding)
New JerseyS4NApparently Secure (nonbreeding)
North CarolinaS2B,S4NImperiled (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
OregonS2NImperiled (nonbreeding)
South CarolinaS4B,S4NApparently Secure (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
TexasS3BVulnerable (breeding)
VirginiaS2B,S3NImperiled (breeding), Vulnerable (nonbreeding)
WashingtonS3NVulnerable (nonbreeding)

Habitat

NatureServe describes the Brown Pelican as a bird of coastal waters that is rarely seen inland or far out at sea[15]. It feeds mostly in shallow waters where rivers meet the sea, and sometimes as far as 40 miles out[15]. Habitat types recorded include sand and dunes, cliffs, bays and sounds, river mouths, lagoons, near shore waters and some wetlands[16]. It uses sand spits, sand bars and small islets to rest at night and during the day, and NatureServe notes that dry roosting sites are essential[15].

Habitat types recorded by NatureServe[16]

Size, diet and lifespan

The Brown Pelican is a piscivore, which means it eats mainly fish[6]. One estimate puts its diet at 80% fish, 10% invertebrates and 10% carrion[17]. A typical length is 122 cm (48 in)[18]. A typical adult weighs about 8 lb[19]. Clutch size averages 2 to 3 eggs in NatureServe notes, and AnAge lists a typical clutch of 3 with an incubation period of 29 days[20][21][22]. Females reach sexual maturity at about 365 days old[23]. The longest recorded lifespan is 43 years, and the oldest known wild bird from banding records was at least 27 years 10 months old[24][4].

Trait Value
Typical length[18] 122 cm (48 in)
Typical adult weight[19] 3.6 kg (8 lb)
Longest recorded lifespan (AnAge)[24] 43 years
Oldest known wild bird (banding)[4] 27 years 10 months
Litter or clutch size[21] 3
Gestation or incubation[22] 29 days
Female maturity[23] 365 days (about 1.0 years)
Food habits[6] Piscivore
Migration[25] non-migrant, local migrant, long-distance migrant

Estimated diet composition (EltonTraits 1.0)[17]

  • 80% fish
  • 10% invertebrates
  • 10% carrion

When to look for it

NatureServe records the Brown Pelican as mostly active during the day, and it also lists a crepuscular pattern, which means active around dawn and dusk[26][27]. Its movements vary. Many birds stay close to their nesting areas in winter, and some of the eastern birds migrate to Florida and other warm coasts[28]. NatureServe lists its migration category as non-migrant, local migrant or long-distance migrant, depending on the population[25]. Along the Pacific side of the continent, eggs are usually laid at their peak in March or April[20]. GBIF records in the United States are highest in January, April and December, which reflects when people look and report, not how many birds there are[29].

January: 213,708 recordsJanFebruary: 176,826 recordsFebMarch: 167,946 recordsMarApril: 209,466 recordsAprMay: 146,804 recordsMayJune: 114,517 recordsJunJuly: 136,126 recordsJulAugust: 159,447 recordsAugSeptember: 168,589 recordsSepOctober: 174,904 recordsOctNovember: 177,793 recordsNovDecember: 187,071 recordsDec
US observation records on GBIF by month, all years. The three months with the most records are highlighted. Records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[29].
Show records by month
MonthRecords
January213,708
February176,826
March167,946
April209,466
May146,804
June114,517
July136,126
August159,447
September168,589
October174,904
November177,793
December187,071

Where to see it

National Park Service species lists record Brown Pelican as present in 41 park units[30]. Present means the park has a confirmed record, not that sightings are common.

And 17 more park units.

States with the most GBIF observation records: California, Florida, Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina[13]. These counts follow where people look and report, not population size.

Questions people ask

Is the Brown Pelican endangered?
No. It is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act today[10]. It was first listed on June 2, 1970, and was removed from the list because it recovered[1][9]. NatureServe ranks it G4, Apparently Secure[2].
Where does the Brown Pelican live?
NatureServe lists it as native in 18 US states and territories, including Florida, California, Texas and Louisiana[3]. It lives mainly in coastal waters and is rarely seen inland[15].
What does the Brown Pelican eat?
It is a piscivore, meaning it mainly eats fish[6]. One estimate gives its diet as 80% fish, 10% invertebrates and 10% carrion[17].
How big is a Brown Pelican?
A typical length is 122 cm (48 in)[18]. A typical adult weighs about 8 lb[19].
How long does a Brown Pelican live?
The longest recorded lifespan is 43 years[24]. The oldest known wild bird in US and Canadian banding records was at least 27 years 10 months old[4].

Facts and sources

  1. USFWS ECOS lists Brown Pelican (Wherever found, except U.S. Atlantic coast, FL, AL) with the status Recovery, meaning it was removed from the endangered species list because it recovered. It was first listed June 2, 1970. USFWS ECOS
  2. NatureServe global conservation status rank for Brown Pelican: G4 (Apparently Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  3. NatureServe lists Brown Pelican as native in 18 US states and territories: Alabama, Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Jersey, Nevada, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia,... NatureServe Explorer
  4. Oldest known wild Brown Pelican from US and Canadian bird banding records: at least 27 years 10 months old (USGS Bird Banding Laboratory). USGS Bird Banding Lab
  5. Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) is a bird in the family Pelecanidae, order Pelecaniformes. NatureServe Explorer
  6. Adult food habits recorded by NatureServe: Piscivore. NatureServe Explorer
  7. NatureServe national rank in the United States: N4B,N4N (Apparently Secure (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)). NatureServe Explorer
  8. IUCN Red List category as recorded by NatureServe: Least concern. NatureServe Explorer
  9. USFWS ECOS lists Brown Pelican (U.S. Atlantic coast, FL, AL) with the status Recovery, meaning it was removed from the endangered species list because it recovered. It was first listed June 2, 1970. USFWS ECOS
  10. Brown Pelican is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS ECOS data (checked 2026-10-30). USFWS ECOS
  11. Brown Pelican is on the federal list of migratory birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (50 CFR 10.13). eCFR, 50 CFR 10.13
  12. NatureServe estimate of total adult population (global, as a range): 100,000 to 1,000,000 individuals. NatureServe Explorer
  13. US states with the most GBIF observation records of Brown Pelican: California, Florida, Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina. Record counts follow observer effort, not population size. GBIF
  14. NatureServe state ranks for Brown Pelican (map and table on this page). NatureServe Explorer
  15. NatureServe notes on habitat for Brown Pelican. NatureServe Explorer
  16. Habitat types NatureServe records for Brown Pelican: Sand/dune, Bare rock/talus/scree, Cliff, Forested wetland, Bay/sound, River mouth/tidal river, Lagoon, Scrub-shrub wetland, Near shore. NatureServe Explorer
  17. Estimated diet composition in EltonTraits 1.0: 80% fish, 10% invertebrates, 10% carrion. EltonTraits 1.0
  18. Typical length recorded by NatureServe: 122 cm (48 in). NatureServe Explorer
  19. Typical adult weight recorded by NatureServe: 3.6 kg (8 lb). NatureServe Explorer
  20. NatureServe notes on reproduction for Brown Pelican. NatureServe Explorer
  21. Typical litter or clutch size in AnAge: 3. AnAge
  22. Gestation or incubation period in AnAge: 29 days. AnAge
  23. Age at female sexual maturity in AnAge: 365 days (about 1.0 years). AnAge
  24. Maximum recorded lifespan in AnAge: 43 years. This is a record, not a typical lifespan. AnAge
  25. NatureServe migration category for Brown Pelican: non-migrant, local migrant, long-distance migrant (populations can differ). NatureServe Explorer
  26. NatureServe notes on phenology for Brown Pelican. NatureServe Explorer
  27. Adult activity patterns recorded by NatureServe: Diurnal, Crepuscular. NatureServe Explorer
  28. NatureServe notes on migration for Brown Pelican. NatureServe Explorer
  29. GBIF observation records of Brown Pelican in the US by month (chart on this page). GBIF
  30. NPSpecies park lists recording Brown Pelican as present (list on this page). NPS NPSpecies

Status, range and habitat come from NatureServe Explorer (CC BY 4.0) and USFWS ECOS at the snapshot date. Listings change by federal rule. State lists are where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see it there. Never name a place smaller than a state. GBIF and park records count observations and checklists. They show where and when people report the species, not how many animals live there.

NatureServe. 2026. NatureServe Explorer [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: October 30, 2026). Licensed under CC BY 4.0; SpeciesFacts selected and summarized it.

Photo: Alan D. Wilson, www.naturespicsonline.com (original photograph), Papa Lima Whiskey (image edit), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.