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
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
In Antigua, venture to the secluded shores of Great Bird Island for an eco-immersion where whale sightings, lush canopy hikes along the Hilltop Trail, and encounters with rare birdlife—including brown pelicans, laughing gulls, and West Indian whistling ducks—await.
—AFAR Media, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for brown pelican
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
In Antigua, venture to the secluded shores of Great Bird Island for an eco-immersion where whale sightings, lush canopy hikes along the Hilltop Trail, and encounters with rare birdlife—including brown pelicans, laughing gulls, and West Indian whistling ducks—await.
—AFAR Media, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for brown pelican
Cite this Entry
“Brown pelican.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brown%20pelican. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
