Bird Photography by Kay Ekwall

Brown Pelican/Pelecanus occidentalis

The photos of these birds were for the most part by JP Ekwall on the Southern Oregon coast. It was recently an endangered species, having suffered from eggshell thinning during the 1970's due to DDT and other pesticides. It is now reestablishing along the West, East and Gulf coasts.

The Brown Pelican is about 48", with up to a 9'wingspan. The male had a brown gray body with a black belly and an exceptionally long bill, when breeding it has a white or yellow head, with a dark chestnut hind neck and a bright red expandable throat pouch. Non-breeding has a white head and neck and a gray throat pouch. The female is similar to the mail.

More information can be found at the Cornell Labs Orintology here