Bird of the Day: Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis — the dive-bombing icon of every good beach vacation.

If there were an Olympic event for "Most Dramatic Entrance," the brown pelican would medal every time. These glorious coastal daredevils patrol shorelines from the Pacific Northwest (hey, neighbors!) down through the tropics, folding themselves into aerodynamic arrows before torpedoing into the water. Honestly, if I tried that, I'd end up in a neck brace, but pelicans? They pop back up with a fish and zero shame.

Where They Live

Brown pelicans hug warm coastlines, especially estuaries, bays, and mangrove edges. Anywhere you've got salty air, fish schools, and a convenient dock to loaf on, you've got pelican potential.

How to Identify One (Without Pulling Out a Field Guide Mid-Sandwich)

Look for:

A *gi