The Brown Pelican hunts by diving from midair into the water, where it catches fish in its voluminous pouch. It must squeeze out excess water before swallowing it's prey, and is frequently harassed by gulls and terns looking for a free meal as it does so.
Brown Pelican
Pelecanus occidentalis
Photo:
The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.
Brown Pelican
Status and Trends
Distribution
Methods
The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.
Did you know
Summary
Trend
Data Deficient
Confidence: Data Deficient
Goal
Data Deficient
Mainly marine, this large, unmistakeable seabird often makes postbreeding migratory movements to the north, reaching the Great Lakes, St Lawrence and Maritimes, and more commonly southwestern British Columbia. Currently, the northernmost breeding colonies on the Pacific Coast are in California, while in the Atlantic they have been documented breeding as far north as Maryland. Their appearance in Canada has been linked to warmer ocean temperature; Brown Pelicans may therefore become more common in Canada with climate change.
Canadian Responsibility
Population Estimates
Breeding
0
Annual
<100
Global
370,000
Related readings
Summary report
View the report
Trends from this species and others are rolled up into The State of Canada’s Birds Summary Report. Follow the link below to view the report, learn more about birds in Canada, and see how we can all help birds.
This species is included in the following analysis groups for the report:
Marine Birds
Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada. 2024. The State of Canada’s Birds – Brown Pelican. Data accessed from NatureCounts, Birds Canada.
https://doi.org/10.71842/48dv-z508
The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.
Did you know
The Brown Pelican hunts by diving from midair into the water, where it catches fish in its voluminous pouch. It must squeeze out excess water before swallowing it's prey, and is frequently harassed by gulls and terns looking for a free meal as it does so.
Distribution and Occurrence
2360
Loading...
Get Involved
Citizen Science is vital to monitoring birds in Canada. Participating in programs like the ones below helps monitor this species.
British Columbia Coastal Waterbird Survey
Beached Bird Survey
eBird
Become a Citizen Scientist today!
Follow the link below to learn about more programs that you can participate in to help monitor birds in Canada.
Learn more
Related readings
Summary report
View the report
Trends from this species and others are rolled up into The State of Canada’s Birds Summary Report. Follow the link below to view the report, learn more about birds in Canada, and see how we can all help birds.
This species is included in the following analysis groups for the report:
Marine Birds
Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada. 2024. The State of Canada’s Birds – Brown Pelican. Data accessed from NatureCounts, Birds Canada.
https://doi.org/10.71842/48dv-z508