The brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) is a large water bird that inhabits the coastlines of North, Central, and South America. You can easily identify it by its brown-gray body, large bill with a distinctive throat pouch, and long wingspan that can reach up to 7 feet. Unlike other pelicans, brown pelicans dive from heights into the water to catch fish, showcasing their dramatic hunting style. They mainly feed on small fish, such as menhaden and sardines. Brown pelicans are social birds that often nest in colonies and build large nests from sticks and grass.