Comeback Kings of the Coast

Meet the Brown Pelican

Brown pelicans are some of the most recognizable—and entertaining—birds you’ll spot along Georgia’s coast. With their oversized bills, comical throat pouches, and graceful gliding over the water, they’ve become a beloved symbol of coastal life. But not long ago, these iconic birds faced a silent, deadly threat that nearly erased them from the skies.

The brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) is one of only two pelican species that dive headfirst into the water to catch fish. With a wingspan of up to 7 feet, they soar just above the waves, scanning for baitfish before plunging with a dramatic splash.

Fun Facts About Brown Pelicans

Quick Facts

• Diet: Mostly menhaden and small fish
• Dive speed: Up to 40 mph from 60 feet in the air
• Pouch capacity: Can hold over 2 gallons of water!
• Nesting: Typically on remote islands in colonies
• Range: Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts
• Wingspan: 6–7 feet
• Weight: 6–12 pounds

Interesting Facts

• What’s a group of pelicans called? A group of pelicans is known as a squadron, pod, or brief—depending on the behavior. When flying in formation, they’re often referred to as a squadron, which perfectly matches their coordinated, gliding style.
• What’s a baby pelican called? Baby pelicans are called chicks or nestlings.
• How do they cool off? Pelicans don’t sweat—so they perform a behavior called gular fluttering, where they rapidly vibrate the skin of their throat pouch to release heat and stay cool.
• Breeding makeover: During mating season, adult brown pelicans sport a vivid yellow head and a pinkish pouch—colors that fade after the breeding season ends.

Nesting Habits & Egg Incubation

Brown pelicans nest in colonies, often on remote coastal islands, spoil banks, or mangrove-lined estuaries where predators are few and human disturbance is minimal. In Georgia, nesting often occurs on isolated barrier islands managed for wildlife.

• Nests are built from sticks, reeds, and grasses—usually on the ground or in low trees and shrubs.
• Both parents take turns incubating the eggs, using the skin of their webbed feet to warm them (instead of sitting directly on the eggs).
• A typical clutch consists of 2–3 eggs, and chicks hatch after approximately 30 days.
• Chicks hatch featherless and rely entirely on their parents, who regurgitate fish into the pouch for them to eat.

Because pelicans nest in colonies, large numbers of chicks can fledge at once—an incredible sight during the peak of breeding season!

What Happens When a Dive Goes Wrong?

Brown pelicans are expert divers, but their hunting style comes with risks. If they misjudge the angle or hit shallow water, the impact can cause:

• Neck injuries
• Beak fractures
• Eye trauma, including blindness
• Internal damage from repeated impact

Young or inexperienced pelicans are more likely to suffer injuries, and in some areas, injured birds are commonly treated at coastal wildlife rehab centers. While their dive looks effortless, it’s a high-stakes hunt every time.

The Silent Threat: DDT and Population Crash

While plume hunters targeted more ornamental species, brown pelicans faced a different crisis in the mid-20th century: DDT, a pesticide that made their eggshells too thin to survive incubation. By the 1960s, brown pelican populations plummeted across the Gulf and Atlantic coasts–near extinction in some areas. 

The Conservation Comeback

Listed as endangered in 1970, the brown pelican’s recovery was one of the first major victories of the modern conservation movement:

• 1960s: Populations crashed due to failed nesting
• 1972: DDT banned in the U.S.
• 1970s–2000s: Nesting sites became protected, and populations monitored
• 2009: Brown pelicans were removed from the federal endangered species list after decades of recovery

Today, brown pelicans are once again thriving—but their survival depends on clean waterways, protected nesting grounds, and sustainable fish populations.

Where to Spot Brown Pelicans in Coastal Georgia

Keep an eye out during your tour! You’ll often see brown pelicans:

• Gliding just above the waves near Tybee Island and the river in Thunderbolt
• Diving for fish in Wassaw Sound, Bull River, or Calibogue Sound
• Perched in flocks on docks, channel markers, or oyster mounds
• Nesting on remote islands, viewable at a respectful distance by boat

Why We Love Them

The brown pelican is an iconic comeback story. They remind us how vulnerable wildlife can be to invisible threats—and how powerful conservation action can be when people care enough to make a difference. You’ll even find that the brown pelican has debuted on various Low Country Drifters merchandise.