Brown Pelican
Pelecanus occidentalis
Plunge-diving summer visitor. NPS notes Brown Pelicans as warm-season birds still expanding after DDT-era recovery.
Quick facts
| Group | Seabird |
|---|---|
| Likelihood nearby | ★★★★☆ |
| Habitats | Ocean beach, Inlet, Offshore / ocean, Assateague National Seashore, Assateague State Park |
| Seasons (this coast) | summer, fall, spring |
How to recognize them
- Huge bill and throat pouch; gray-brown body; adults show a pale head in breeding season.
- Glides in lines just above the waves; dives bill-first for fish.
Biology notes
- Feeds on schooling fish; nests farther south but wanders north along the Mid-Atlantic in warm months.
Where to see them around Ocean City
- Ocean City beach and Inlet—watch for diving birds just beyond the breakers.
- Assateague ocean shoreline and nearshore waters.
When to look
- Most reliable late spring through fall; rare or absent in coldest winter stretches.
Viewing tips & etiquette
- Morning light from the beach boardwalk or Assateague dune crossovers is ideal for dive sequences.
