brown pelican

noun

: a pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) of American coasts that has a brownish body and a chiefly white or white with yellow head

Examples of brown pelican in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

So far this year, the marine park’s rescue teams have picked up more than 100 birds, primarily Brandt’s cormorants, common murres and California brown pelicans. —Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026

For a special treat, hire a charter and head out to Queen Bess Island to see thousands of nesting brown pelicans, as well as tri-colored herons, great egrets, royal terns, and the elusive roseate spoonbill. —Kristy Christiansen, Southern Living, 31 Dec. 2025

While brown pelicans in warm climates can be year-round residents, those that spend summers along the Atlantic coast migrate south for the winter. —Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 12 Dec. 2025

Then a Galápagos brown pelican, seemingly enchanted by the scent of the mahi-mahi being prepared, landed on the railing. —Betsy Andrews, Travel + Leisure, 17 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1780, in the meaning defined above