Mainly marine, the Brown Pelican is an unmistakable seabird that breeds as far north as California along the Pacific Coast, and Maryland on the Atlantic Coast. However, Brown Pelicans often make northward post-breeding movements, occasionally reaching the Great Lakes, St Lawrence and Maritimes, and more commonly southwestern British Columbia. Their appearance in Canada has been linked to warmer ocean temperature, and Brown Pelicans may therefore become more common in Canada with climate change. The number of Brown Pelicans seen yearly in Canada appears to be highly variable, with few birds seen in some years, and flocks of over one hundred in others. No population goal is set for Brown Pelican because it has only recently become a regular presence in Canada, and further monitoring is warranted before an appropriate goal can be determined.