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Birds of Zihuatanejo

CLASS AVES

-Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

-Chordates (Phylum Chordata)

-Vertebrates (Subphylum Vertebrata)

-Birds (Class Aves)

-Pelicans, Herons, Ibises, and Allies (Order Pelecaniformes)

-Pelicans (Family Pelecanidae)

-Pelicans (Genus Pelecanus)

-Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)


The Brown Pelican is a large bird found along the coasts of the Americas. It has a wide range, throughout the US, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and the northern coast of South America. It is found along sandy beaches, mudflats, marshes, and mangrove swamps. Its diet consists of fish, crustaceans, and other marine life. Brown Pelicans build their nests in salt marshes and mangrove swamps. They exhibit many interesting behaviours, such as synchronized dives for food or cooperative hunting. This large bird has a wingspan of 6-7 feet and a distinctive brown and white plumage.

Brown Pelican

Pelecanus occidentalis

Diet

  • Primarily fish, including anchovies, sardines, mullet, herring, menhaden, and other small schooling fish.

  • Also feeds on squid and occasionally crustaceans.

  • Famous for its spectacular plunge-diving, dropping headfirst from heights of up to 20 m (65 ft) to catch fish in its expandable throat pouch.

Range

  • Found along the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts of the Americas, from the United States through Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and much of South America.

  • Common year-round along the Pacific coast of Mexico, including the Zihuatanejo region.

  • Inhabits coastal waters, beaches, estuaries, mangroves, bays, harbours, rocky shores, and offshore islands.

  • Rarely occurs far inland except after storms.

Male / Female

  • Male: Dark brown body with a pale yellow to creamy-white head (breeding adults), chestnut-brown hindneck, long gray bill, and large expandable throat pouch. Slightly larger with a heavier bill.

  • Female: Nearly identical in plumage but generally smaller and more slender.

  • Juveniles: Brown overall with a pale belly and duller bill.

  • Sexes cannot be reliably distinguished in the field except by subtle size differences.

Size

  • Length: 100–137 cm (39–54 in)

  • Wingspan: 183–250 cm (72–98 in)

  • Weight: 2.0–5.5 kg (4.4–12.1 lb)

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