Browse the database

Recently Viewed

Aves - Neognathae - Pelecaniformes - Pelecanidae - Pelecanus - Pelecanus occidentalis

Sternum (Breast Bone) of a Pelecanus occidentalis (Brown Pelican)


Rotate: left click on mouse
Zoom: right click on mouse (PC) or command and click (Mac)
Move: left and right click simultaneously (PC) or shift and click (Mac)

Species Description
The Brown Pelican is the smallest member of the pelican family, with an average wingspan of only six feet. The state bird of Louisiana, it lives along the coasts from Washington (Pacific) and Virginia (Atlantic) down to northern Chile and the mouth of the Amazon River, preferring warm coastal marine and estuarine environments. The Brown Pelican eats fish, which it catches by sighting from the air and diving into the water head first, trapping the fish in its mouth pouch. It then drains the water from its pouch (which can hold up to three gallons of liquid) and swallows the fish whole; while draining, the Brown Pelican is often harassed by other birds (especially gulls) that try to steal any fish. The Brown Pelican does not have a brood patch, so it incubates its eggs by holding them under the webs of its feet – essentially standing on top of them.
Skeletal Elements Available

Sternum (Breast Bone)
External Links
Animal Diversity Web
Encyclopedia of Life
Wikipedia Brown Pelican Page

© 2024 - Aves 3D • In partnership with:     College of the Holy Cross     Harvard University     National Science Foundation     • Contact Us