General Description: Pacific Brown Pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus) 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 Pacific Brown Pelicans are dark overall with a light neck and head. During the non-breeding season, the crown is white, the neck is white, the bill is yellow-gray, and the throat pouch is yellowish.

During the courtship season, the crown becomes golden-yellow, the throat pouch becomes red, the back of the neck becomes dark brown, and the bill becomes yellow and 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 Atlantic Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis carolinensis).

Juveniles have a dirty-gray head and neck, dark body, and light underparts.

Taxonomy: Pelecaniformes, Pelecanidae

Favored Habitat: Coastal areas of North America, but occasionally inland on rivers and lakes.

Where to Find: Around Las Vegas, Pacific Brown Pelicans are uncommon, but look for them during fall and winter at Lake Mead. Otherwise, take a birding trip to the Pacific Coast.

Comments: Brown Pelicans usually feed by diving head-first into the water to catch fish, but sometimes they feed by dipping their long bill into the water. American White Pelicans never dive into the water to catch fish.