General Description: Atlantic Brown Pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis carolinensis) are very large birds (wingspan over 6 feet) with an enormous bill and stretchy skin at the base of the bill that expands to form a pouch when feeding.
Adult Atlantic Brown Pelicans are dark overall with a light head. During the non-breeding season, the crown is white or pale yellow, the neck is white, the bill is yellowish, and the throat pouch is yellowish.
During the courtship season, the crown becomes golden-yellow, the throat pouch becomes black, the back of the neck becomes reddish-brown, and the bill becomes red. During nesting, the back of the neck remains reddish-brown, but the other features return to the non-breeding condition. Compare with American White Pelicans and Pacific Brown Pelicans.
Juveniles have a dirty-gray head and neck, dark body, and light underparts. |