California brown pelicans have had a tough go of it. Back in the 70s, their populations began plummeting due to DDT exposure. In the years since, thanks to environmental legislation, their numbers have improved dramatically. But now a new problem is at hand: starvation. These beautiful sea birds are facing their 3rd starvation event in only 4 years. Researchers believe their struggle to find food is due to global warming, which has driven their main food source (fish) into deeper waters, making them more difficult to catch. On top of these traumatic circumstances, acidic algal blooms have been responsible for poisoning California pelicans. Roughly 100 malnourished brown pelicans were rescued recently, after being discovered in inland locations not common to the species.
Though California brown pelicans are but one species of pelican, their plight reminds us of their value to the ecosystem and how amazing they truly are. Pelicans are intriguing water birds with massive wingspans and large bill pouches for catching food. Some of them even drop from the sky to kill their prey. Check out these 10 incredible pelican facts and learn what these creatures are all about!
This post was updated on June 4, 2025 to include details of the California brown pelican's starvation events.
1. Some Pelicans Dive-Bomb into the Water to Catch Fish
Not all pelicans wait in shallow water to capture a meal. Some pelicans take a far more aggressive and proactive approach. For example, the brown pelican and the Peruvian pelican plunge into the water to capture their meals. They fly up to as high as 60 feet in the air and then dive bomb fish in the water. The air sacs beneath their skin help cushion the initial blow, as does the way the pelicans shift their bodies before impact.
2. A Pelican's Pouch Holds Up to Three Gallons of Water
While they are hunting, these birds can take in up to three gallons of water and then filter it out to see what food they captured. The flexibility of their pouch structure is simply incredible!
3. The American White Pelican Grows a Horn
Some pelican species have very unique features. The American white pelican grows a large bump or horn on its beak during mating season. This growth demonstrates that they are ready to breed. After they have mated, they lose the horn, and it grows back during the following year!
4. Pelicans Are Some of the Heaviest Flying Birds
Pelicans are some of the heaviest flying birds. Steller's sea eagle is the heaviest eagle in the world, and it weighs about 20 pounds at maximum. However, the Dalmatian pelican weighs about 21 pounds at its top weight, and it has a wingspan that measures over 10 feet. Despite its weight, this bird can take to the skies with grace and agility.
5. Some Pelicans Hunt Together
Finding food in and around the water can be difficult. Pelicans are not raptors that can swoop down on unsuspecting mammals and fly away. They have to be near the water and on continual lookout for prey. When they hunt together, pelicans herd fish toward a shallow area. With the right density of fish in an area, these birds can consume a decent amount of food.
6. Pelicans Are Monogamous from Time to Time
Some people romanticize the idea of monogamous wild animals. Pelicans are often included on the lists of animals that are dedicated to one partner. The truth is a little murkier, though. Pelicans are only seasonally monogamous. They will stay with one partner through the breeding season, but they do not pair for life. Once the season has come to an end, the two birds part ways and they may or may not return to each other the following year.
7. Pelicans Can Grow to Have a 10-Foot Wingspan or More
Pelicans can have a massive wingspan. Some of them have wingspans that measure over 10 feet! For example, the Dalmatian pelican has a wingspan that measures between 9 and 10.5 feet in length, making it the largest member of the pelican family. Their large wings allow these birds to soar despite their heavy bodies.
8. You Can Find Pelicans on Every Continent but Antarctica
Pelicans are large birds that can fly rather high and far. Moreover, they enjoy being near water in warm regions. Thus, pelicans are found on every continent except Antarctica, and they are less common in some regions of the world, like the inner part of South America.
9. Pelicans Don't Store Food in Their Pouch
Many believe pelicans use their roomie pouches for storing food. However, this isn't the case. Instead, pelicans consume their meal directly after a catch. After capturing their prey (and a fair bit of seawater), they drain the water from their pouch by tilting their heads. Then they swallow the fish whole.
10. Pelicans Don't Just Limit Their Diet to Fish
Although pelicans are often seen gobbling their fair share of fish, they aren't solely pescatarian. They have been seen eating turtles, mammals, insects, and even other birds. It's not unusual to see pelicans eating other water birds, too.
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California brown pelicans have had a tough go of it. Back in the 70s, their populations began plummeting due to DDT exposure. In the years since, thanks to environmental legislation, their numbers have improved dramatically. But now a new problem is at hand: starvation. These beautiful sea birds are facing their 3rd starvation event in only 4 years. Researchers believe their struggle to find food is due to global warming, which has driven their main food source (fish) into deeper waters, making them more difficult to catch. On top of these traumatic circumstances, acidic algal blooms have been responsible for poisoning California pelicans. Roughly 100 malnourished brown pelicans were rescued recently, after being discovered in inland locations not common to the species.
Though California brown pelicans are but one species of pelican, their plight reminds us of their value to the ecosystem and how amazing they truly are. Pelicans are intriguing water birds with massive wingspans and large bill pouches for catching food. Some of them even drop from the sky to kill their prey. Check out these 10 incredible pelican facts and learn what these creatures are all about!
This post was updated on June 4, 2025 to include details of the California brown pelican’s starvation events.
1. Some Pelicans Dive-Bomb into the Water to Catch Fish
Not all pelicans wait in shallow water to capture a meal. Some pelicans take a far more aggressive and proactive approach. For example, the brown pelican and the Peruvian pelican plunge into the water to capture their meals. They fly up to as high as 60 feet in the air and then dive bomb fish in the water. The air sacs beneath their skin help cushion the initial blow, as does the way the pelicans shift their bodies before impact.
2. A Pelican’s Pouch Holds Up to Three Gallons of Water
While they are hunting, these birds can take in up to three gallons of water and then filter it out to see what food they captured. The flexibility of their pouch structure is simply incredible!
Some pelican species have very unique features. The American white pelican grows a large bump or horn on its beak during mating season. This growth demonstrates that they are ready to breed. After they have mated, they lose the horn, and it grows back during the following year!
Pelicans are some of the heaviest flying birds. Steller’s sea eagle is the heaviest eagle in the world, and it weighs about 20 pounds at maximum. However, the Dalmatian pelican weighs about 21 pounds at its top weight, and it has a wingspan that measures over 10 feet. Despite its weight, this bird can take to the skies with grace and agility.
Finding food in and around the water can be difficult. Pelicans are not raptors that can swoop down on unsuspecting mammals and fly away. They have to be near the water and on continual lookout for prey. When they hunt together, pelicans herd fish toward a shallow area. With the right density of fish in an area, these birds can consume a decent amount of food.
Some people romanticize the idea of monogamous wild animals. Pelicans are often included on the lists of animals that are dedicated to one partner. The truth is a little murkier, though. Pelicans are only seasonally monogamous. They will stay with one partner through the breeding season, but they do not pair for life. Once the season has come to an end, the two birds part ways and they may or may not return to each other the following year.
7. Pelicans Can Grow to Have a 10-Foot Wingspan or More
Pelicans can have a massive wingspan. Some of them have wingspans that measure over 10 feet! For example, the Dalmatian pelican has a wingspan that measures between 9 and 10.5 feet in length, making it the largest member of the pelican family. Their large wings allow these birds to soar despite their heavy bodies.
8. You Can Find Pelicans on Every Continent but Antarctica
Pelicans are large birds that can fly rather high and far. Moreover, they enjoy being near water in warm regions. Thus, pelicans are found on every continent except Antarctica, and they are less common in some regions of the world, like the inner part of South America.
Many believe pelicans use their roomie pouches for storing food. However, this isn’t the case. Instead, pelicans consume their meal directly after a catch. After capturing their prey (and a fair bit of seawater), they drain the water from their pouch by tilting their heads. Then they swallow the fish whole.
Although pelicans are often seen gobbling their fair share of fish, they aren’t solely pescatarian. They have been seen eating turtles, mammals, insects, and even other birds. It’s not unusual to see pelicans eating other water birds, too.
