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
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Fall through spring is the best time to see migratory white pelicans and nesting brown pelicans.
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Usa Today Network, USA Today, 10 June 2026
These birds included black-necked stilts, Canada geese, mallard ducks and western gulls, as well as a single gadwall, double-crested cormorant, brown pelican, Egyptian goose, Brewer’s blackbird and California gull.
—Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 9 June 2026
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
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Usa Today Network, USA Today, 10 June 2026
These birds included black-necked stilts, Canada geese, mallard ducks and western gulls, as well as a single gadwall, double-crested cormorant, brown pelican, Egyptian goose, Brewer’s blackbird and California gull.
—Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 9 June 2026
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
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 21 Jun. 2026.
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