Marine Wildlife Encyclopedia
Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis
Commonly seen inshore and in harbors, the brown pelican is the heaviest sea bird that fishes by plunge-diving. Groups of brown pelicans often fish together, skimming over the waves before rising into the air, folding back their wings, and hitting the water with a spectacular splash. The pelican’s throat pouch balloons outward underwater, scooping up prey, which it then swallows at the surface.