Brown pelican

Pelecanus occidentalis

On landLeast concern

The brown pelican is a large coastal seabird that plunge-dives headfirst to scoop fish into its expandable throat pouch. It is a common year-round resident along Galápagos shorelines and harbors. It is widespread along the coasts of the Americas and is not endemic to the islands.

Best time to see it

A year-round coastal resident that nests in mangroves; breeding is not restricted to a single narrow season.

Where to see it

Cerro Brujo
San Cristóbal · Occasional sighting
Devil’s Crown
Floreana · Occasional sighting
Elizabeth Bay
Isabela · Likely sighting
Punta Mangle
Fernandina · Likely sighting
Rábida
Rábida · Common sighting

Cruises to see this species

B SOUTHVisits 6 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
8-day expedition · Galápagos
"E" itineraryVisits 5 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
6-day expedition · Galápagos
8 days (A)Visits 5 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
8-day expedition · Galápagos
Born of FireVisits 5 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
8-day expedition · Galápagos
"A" itineraryVisits 4 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
8-day expedition · Galápagos
"B" itineraryVisits 4 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
8-day expedition · Galápagos
B5 SOUTHVisits 4 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
5-day expedition · Galápagos
Itinenary BVisits 4 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
5-day expedition · Galápagos
Itinerary 4CVisits 4 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
4-day expedition · Galápagos
"D" itineraryVisits 3 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
4-day expedition · Galápagos
"F" itineraryVisits 3 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
6-day expedition · Galápagos
8 Days (D)Visits 2 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
8-day expedition · Galápagos
A NORTHVisits 2 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
8-day expedition · Galápagos
B - West Expedition 5 days - 4 nightsVisits 2 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
5-day expedition · Galápagos
D - South Expedition 5 days - 4 nightsVisits 2 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
5-day expedition · Galápagos
Epic Galápagos Expedition Northwest & Southern LoopVisits 2 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
8-day expedition · Galápagos
Itinerary AVisits 2 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
8-day expedition · Galápagos
4 Days (A)Visits 1 Signature site — see how we score visitor sites
4-day expedition · Galápagos
5 days (B)Visits 1 Signature site — see how we score visitor sites
5-day expedition · Galápagos
8 Days (B)Visits 1 Signature site — see how we score visitor sites
8-day expedition · Galápagos
A - North Expedition 4 days - 3 nightsVisits 1 Signature site — see how we score visitor sites
4-day expedition · Galápagos
A4 NORTHVisits 1 Signature site — see how we score visitor sites
4-day expedition · Galápagos
A5 NORTHVisits 1 Signature site — see how we score visitor sites
5-day expedition · Galápagos
C - East Expedition 4 days - 3 nightsVisits 1 Signature site — see how we score visitor sites
4-day expedition · Galápagos