Pelicans of Florida

The Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) is a staple of the Florida coastline and the Indian River Lagoon. With their oversized bills and large throat pouches, they are instantly recognizable and always entertaining to watch.

Despite their somewhat clumsy appearance on land, brown pelicans are incredibly graceful in the air and are master fishermen. They are the only species of pelican that plunge-dives to catch its food.

Pelican Facts

• •Brown pelicans dive from heights of up to 60 feet to catch fish.
• •Their throat pouch can hold up to 3 gallons of water—more than their stomach can hold.
• •They have air sacs beneath their skin to cushion the impact of hitting the water.
• •After diving, they tilt their bills downward to drain the water before swallowing the fish.
• •They often fly in V-formations or single file lines close to the water's surface.

Brown pelicans are ubiquitous along the Space Coast. You will often see them perched on dock pilings, channel markers, and seawalls, resting and drying their feathers.

While sailing, keep an eye out for flocks of pelicans circling over the water—a sure sign of a school of baitfish below. Watching a group of pelicans plunge-dive in unison is a spectacular sight.

Are there white pelicans in Florida?

Why do pelicans hang around fishermen?

Are brown pelicans endangered?

How long do pelicans live?

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