Brown Pelican

Description:

Brown Pelicans are huge, stocky seabirds. They have thin necks and very long bills with a stretchy throat pouch used for capturing fish. Their wings are very long and broad and are often noticeably bowed when the birds are gliding. Adult Brown Pelicans are gray-brown birds with yellow heads and white necks. In breeding plumage, the back and sides of the neck turn a rich, dark reddish-brown. Immatures are gray-brown above (including the head and neck) with pale whitish belly and breast.

Habitat:

Upper Texas Coast (UTC 082) BAY AREA PARK: This Harris County park is situated on Armand Bayou. It has a long board walk for excellent views of the upper part of the bayou.

Notes:

They feed by plunge-diving from high up, using the force of impact to stun small fish before scooping them up. Photo 4 shows the rear of a gull who kept swimming in and grabbing fish out of this pelicans pouch.