Brown Pelican

Large, iconic coastal bird with a long bill and expandable throat pouch. This feather is a deep, earthy brown, matching the primary plumage of an adult. Brown Pelicans are famous for their dramatic plunge-dives from heights of up to 60 feet to catch fish. They have a massive wingspan (6-7 feet) and a heavy body, requiring these strong, broad feathers for lift.

Uniformly dark chocolate brown to silvery-grayish brown on the dorsal surface; the rachis is notably pale/creamy white near the base, darkening toward the tip; ventral surface is a more matte silvery-brown.

Densely interlocked pennaceous barbs providing a rigid, wind-resistant surface for flight; minor plumulaceous barbs at the very base (calamus); barbs appear relatively intact though slightly worn at the distal tip.

Robust, thick central rachis that is creamy white and opaque at the base (quill); tapers and darkens slightly as it progresses toward the distal end; barbs are set at an acute angle to the rachis.

Stiff and somewhat coarse; the surface has a matte to low-gloss finish; the vane is quite rigid to withstand the force of plunge-diving and heavy flapping flight.

Outer wing (remiges); the asymmetry confirms its function as a flight feather, specifically a primary, which provides the necessary thrust for a bird of this size.

Large size, dark brown coloration, very thick and pale rachis at the base, and notable vane asymmetry characteristic of a primary flight feather.

Coastal marine environments, including estuaries, bays, and beaches; rarely found far inland except during extreme weather events; nests in colonies on islands or in mangroves.

Year-round resident along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of the Americas, from Washington and Virginia south to northern Peru and Brazil; non-breeding birds may wander further north.

Top-tier coastal predator acting as an indicator species for marine health and fish stocks; their nesting colonies provide nutrients to coastal island ecosystems.

Double-crested Cormorant (smaller, darker/blacker rachis), immature Bald Eagle (usually broader with different mottling), or various Gulls (usually smaller with more distinct white/gray patterns).

Brown Pelicans are one of only two pelican species that catch food by diving into the water from the air. Their populations plummeted in the mid-20th century due to DDT poisoning but have since made a remarkable recovery.

Depicted on the state flag and seal of Louisiana (the 'Pelican State'). Historically, their feathers and skins were used in millinery, leading to early conservation efforts by the Audubon Society.

Look for these feathers washed up on high-tide lines or near coastal sandbars where pelicans frequently loaf and preen. The thickness of the white quill relative to the feather size is a great indicator.

Fair to Good; shows signs of natural wear (abrasion) at the tip and edges, likely from sand or salt spray. The calamus is clean, suggesting a natural molt rather than a forced removal.