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.

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.

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.

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.