Both white pelicans and brown pelicans are large waterbirds in the pelican family, but there are some key differences between these two species. In this article, we’ll take a close look at how white pelicans and brown pelicans differ in terms of their appearance, habitat, diet, breeding behaviors, and conservation status.
Appearance
The most noticeable difference between white pelicans and brown pelicans is in their plumage. As their names suggest, white pelicans have mostly white feathers, while brown pelicans have mostly brown feathers.
White pelicans are very large birds, measuring 50–70 inches long with a wingspan around 9 feet wide. Their body feathers are bright white, with black feathers on the tips of their wings. Their massive bill is orange-yellow to reddish-pink. In breeding season, white pelicans may develop a pale yellowish tinge on their heads and necks. Overall, white pelicans are predominantly white, with subtle black and yellow accents.
Brown pelicans are also large birds, measuring 48–54 inches long with about a 7-foot wingspan. Their bodies are dark gray-brown all over. Their head and neck feathers may be streaked or have a pale yellowish wash. The feathers at the back of their neck form a dramatic cream-colored veil. Their bill is grayish and grows to an enormous size during breeding season. Brown pelicans have black and pale yellowish accents on their wings. So while not as starkly contrasted as white pelicans, brown pelicans sport a muted palette of browns, yellows, and grays.
Size Comparison
To directly compare sizes:
Species | Length | Wingspan |
---|---|---|
White Pelican | 50-70 in | ~9 ft |
Brown Pelican | 48-54 in | ~7 ft |
So white pelicans tend to be slightly larger than brown pelicans, but both are among the biggest flying birds on the planet.
Habitat
White pelicans and brown pelicans have some habitat differences too.
White pelicans live predominantly on inland freshwater lakes and rivers. They are found mainly in central North America, around the Great Lakes region, and in the western United States. White pelicans avoid coastal marine habitats.
In contrast, brown pelicans are coastal birds that spend most of their lives right along the ocean shores. They are native to warmer areas like the Gulf Coast of the United States, Mexico, Central and South America, and the Galapagos Islands. Some brown pelicans may venture inland to estuaries and large lakes, but they don’t travel nearly as far from the coasts as white pelicans do.
Range Map Comparison
Species | Range |
---|---|
White Pelican | Inland lakes and rivers of central North America, around the Great Lakes, and in the western United States. |
Brown Pelican | Coastal marine habitats along southern North America, Mexico, Central and South America, and the Galapagos Islands. |
So in summary, white pelicans favor freshwater inland habitats, while brown pelicans are mostly restricted to coastal marine areas.
Diet
The diets of these two pelican species also differ quite a bit.
White pelicans mainly eat freshwater fish like carp, trout, bass, perch, and catfish. They catch fish by dipping their huge pouched bill into the water to scoop up multiple fish at once. White pelicans may also occasionally eat salamanders, crayfish, and insects.
In contrast, brown pelicans feed almost entirely on marine saltwater fish like mackerel, mullet, sardines, herring, and anchovies. Rather than scooping, brown pelicans dive bill-first from the air into the ocean to catch one fish at a time. Very rarely, they may eat some crustaceans as well.
Diet Comparison
Species | Main Prey |
---|---|
White Pelican | Freshwater fish like carp, trout, bass, perch, and catfish |
Brown Pelican | Marine saltwater fish like mackerel, mullet, sardines, herring, and anchovies |
So while both pelicans eat fish, the types are different based on habitat. White pelicans take inland varieties, while brown pelicans go for ocean fish.
Breeding
White pelicans and brown pelicans have slightly different breeding behaviors as well.
White pelicans nest in huge colonies of thousands of pairs on isolated islands in freshwater lakes. Their nests consist of shallow scrapes on the ground lined with some vegetation or feathers. White pelican pairs mate for life and share parenting duties like incubating eggs and caring for chicks.
Brown pelicans also nest in colonies, but smaller groups of just several dozen to hundred pairs. Brown pelicans nest right on coastal islands and mangrove thickets. Their nests are also scrapes in the ground, but may pile up higher with debris and guano. Brown pelicans are serially monogamous, pairing up each breeding season rather than mating for life. The female alone incubates the eggs.
Breeding Comparison
Species | Nest Location | Colony Size | Pair Bonds |
---|---|---|---|
White Pelican | Islands in freshwater lakes | Thousands of pairs | Mate for life |
Brown Pelican | Coastal islands and mangroves | Dozens to hundreds of pairs | Serial monogamy |
So while their breeding behaviors are similar overall, there are some habitat-related differences between the pelican species.
Conservation Status
Currently, white pelicans and brown pelicans have different conservation statuses assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
White pelicans are listed as a species of Least Concern. They remain widespread across their range and face no major threats. Their populations rebounded after the ban on DDT, a pesticide that previously thinned their eggshells.
Brown pelicans, however, are a Near Threatened species. They suffered severe declines from hunting and habitat loss over the last century. Ongoing threats include pollution, disturbance by humans, and entanglement in fishing gear. Their recovery is ongoing but they need continued protection efforts.
Conservation Comparison
Species | IUCN Status |
---|---|
White Pelican | Least Concern |
Brown Pelican | Near Threatened |
So white pelicans are doing well population-wise, while brown pelicans still face some conservation concerns and require more habitat protections.
Conclusion
While white pelicans and brown pelicans belong to the same bird family, they have a number of distinct differences:
– White pelicans are bright white with black wing tips, while brown pelicans are mostly different shades of brown.
– White pelicans live inland around freshwater lakes and rivers, while brown pelicans stay along marine coasts.
– White pelicans scoop up multiple freshwater fish in their huge bill pouches, whereas brown pelicans dive for individual saltwater fish.
– White pelicans nest in enormous colonies on secluded islands, while brown pelicans have smaller coastal colonies.
– White pelican populations are stable, but brown pelicans still face some threats and are classified as Near Threatened.
So in summary, these pelican cousins have adapted to their different aquatic habitats of inland waters versus marine coasts. By comparing their appearance, range, diet, breeding, and conservation status, we can better understand the key variations between the white and brown pelican species.