Pelicans are large, distinctive water birds recognized by their prominent throat pouches. While many people might have a general idea of their appearance, pelican coloration is more nuanced than a single answer. Their plumage, bill, and bare skin colors vary significantly by species, age, and even season.
Primary Colors of Pelican Species
The American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) is predominantly white, a characteristic reflected in its name. Its plumage is bright white, with black primary and secondary flight feathers visible during flight. The bill, legs, and feet of this species are pale orange outside the breeding season.
In contrast, the Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) exhibits an overall gray-brown body. Adult Brown Pelicans feature a white head and neck, often with a yellow wash on the crown. During the breeding season, the nape and neck turn a dark reddish-brown. The bill is grayish, and the gular pouch is greenish-black.
Other pelican species also display distinct color patterns. The Great White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus) has white plumage, similar to the American White, but with a faint pink tinge on the neck and a yellowish base on the foreneck. Its primary feathers are black, and its bare facial skin around the eye is pink. The Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus), often considered the largest pelican, has silvery-white plumage that appears gray, with gray legs distinguishing it from species with pinkish legs.
Color Variations and Influences
Pelican coloration is not static, changing based on factors such as age, breeding season, and environmental influences. Juvenile pelicans display duller or different plumage compared to adults. For instance, juvenile Brown Pelicans are generally grayish-brown with paler underparts, a brown head and neck, and a whitish belly. Juvenile American White Pelicans are dusky white or brownish, with a pale gray bill and a dark crest.
Seasonal variations are noticeable, especially during the breeding season when colors become more vibrant. The bills, pouches, and bare facial skin of many pelican species become brightly colored before breeding. For American White Pelicans, the bill, bare skin around the eye, and feet turn a vivid orange, and a unique nuptial tubercle grows on the upper bill, which is shed after nesting. Brown Pelicans in breeding plumage have a yellowish wash on the crown, and their gular pouch turns pinkish-red to orange. Great White Pelicans develop a pinkish tinge on their white plumage and a yellowish patch on the breast during breeding.
Environmental factors, such as diet, can subtly influence feather appearance. The intensity of bill coloration depends on a bird’s hormonal state and diet, becoming brightest as the breeding season approaches.
The Role of Pelican Coloration
Pelican coloration serves several biological functions, contributing to their survival and reproductive success. Camouflage is one role, as plumage helps them blend into their environment. White pelicans, like the American White and Great White species, benefit from their light coloration against the sky or water, aiding hunting or avoiding detection. Conversely, the Brown Pelican’s brown plumage provides effective camouflage in coastal and estuarine habitats.
Coloration also functions as a form of social signaling, particularly during the breeding season. Vibrant colors in bills, pouches, and facial skin, along with structures like the nuptial tubercle, signal health, sexual maturity, and readiness to breed. These temporary physical traits act as visual cues, enhancing attractiveness and facilitating pair bonding within the colony.
A less pronounced, but still relevant, function of pelican coloration is thermoregulation. Lighter colors, such as the white plumage of several pelican species, help reflect sunlight. This reflective quality is advantageous in hot climates by minimizing heat absorption, helping maintain a stable body temperature.