At least 10 huge brown pelicans swarm behind a fishing boat as it enters the marina near Loreto, Mexico’s malecón. These Baja pelicans aren’t taking no for an answer. They want whatever discarded fish they can get.
More pelicans hunch on the rocks, waiting for the next boat. They flap and dive bomb, they reach their beaks into the air and show off their weird gullets. During my four days in Loreto, I visit the malecón pelicans six times. It’s the best pelican viewing ever. It also makes me want to learn more about these huge birds with lots of personality. Discover some brown pelican fun facts in the list below, and learn more about Baja with resources like this.
Loreto, the place for brown pelican watching! / Photo by Teresa Bergen
1
They're large and in charge
Photo by Teresa Bergen
Brown pelicans have wingspans of up to 7.5 feet and can weigh 10 pounds.
2
They have a wide range
Photo by Teresa Bergen
On the West Coast, brown pelicans range mostly between southern California and Ecuador, with occasional forays as far north as British Columbia. On the East Coast, they breed between Venezuela and Maryland. Sometimes, they even make it up to New York.
3
Many brown pelicans migrate
Who would want to leave the incredible turquoise Sea of Cortez? Not this pelican! / Photo by Teresa Bergen
In the winter and spring, brown pelicans on the Pacific coast breed from Baja to California’s Channel Islands before going north. Loreto, being on the sheltered Sea of Cortez between Baja and mainland Mexico, has a year-round population.
4
They're ace hunters
Photo by martin_vmorris
A pelican can spot a fish from 65 feet in the air. It dives head-first, tucking and twisting left to protect its esophagus and trachea from impact with the ocean. As it plummets underwater, its expanding throat pouch traps fish — along with more than two gallons of water.
If you want to try fishing in Baja, come prepared with the right gear and a fish identification card like this one.
5
They have to drain their pouches
Pelicans swarm a fishing boat in Loreto. / Photo by Teresa Bergen
After catching fish, brown pelicans need to drain water from their pouches before they can swallow. At the same time, other birds like terns and gulls may try stealing fish straight from the pelican’s beak!
6
They also scavenge
Photo by Teresa Bergen
Thieving pelicans swipe food from other seabirds. And they scavenge for dead animals.
7
They had a close call
Photo by Teresa Bergen
In 1970, brown pelicans were declared endangered. Pollutants like DDT nearly drove them to extinction. Dive into the details of how conservationists worked to protect the species with books like “The Return of the Brown Pelican.”
8
But they made a strong comeback
Photo by Teresa Bergen
Fortunately, they made a strong comeback. The conservation group Partners in Flight estimates the global breeding population of brown pelicans is 370,000 and now considers them a species of low conservation concern. Learn more with this guide to bird conservation.
