There are many amazing underwater sea creatures to see at la Jolla Cove; however, sea animals aren’t all there is to see at La Jolla Cove. There are a lot of beautiful terrestrial animals to observe as well. One of them would be California Brown Pelicans. This blog will go over everything there is to know about these large birds and where you can view them.
Appearance
California Brown Pelicans are huge stocky seabirds with thin necks and very long bills with a stretchy throat pouch, which is used for capturing fish. They have long, broad wings, which are often bowed while gliding. They have webbing between their four toes, making them amazing swimmers. Male and female pelicans look really similar except for the fact that male pelicans are slightly larger. As the breeding season approaches, the distal ends of their bills turn reddish, and the proximal end of their throat pouch turns bright red. Their iris turns from a yellowish-white to light blue. A white stripe runs down the pouch side of their dark brown neck.
Range
The California Brown Pelican is a resident of the coastal marine environment of the Pacific Coast. Their range extends from Canada to Nayarit, México. About 90% of California Brown Pelicans nest in México. The only long-term breeding colonies of California Brown Pelicans in the US are on the Anacapa and Santa Barbara Islands.
Habitat
These pelicans are aquatic birds that are typically found on rocky, sandy, or vegetated:
- Offshore islands
- Beaches
- Open sea (for feeding)
- Harbors
- Marinas
- Estuaries
- Breakwaters
Their nesting colonies are established on islands without permanent human habitation and mammalian predators. In Southern California, they typically build a nest on the ground, native shrubs, and occasionally trees. On Anacapa and Santa Barbara Island, California Brown Pelicans generally nest on:
- Inaccessible slopes
- Canyons
- High bluff tops
- Edges
Viewing Pelicans in La Jolla Cove
January is the best time to view California Brown Pelicans as they are particularly beautiful in their mating colors. They have bright red pouches, yellow heads, and dark brown necks during this time of the year. La Jolla Cove is a great place to view them as big flocks gather there. The best spot to view them is on the cliff area on top of the cave. The optimal time would be in the morning, not long after sunrise. Once the sunlight hits the top of the cliff, their bright colors glow. There you can watch them preen and stretch their neck. They combine a mix of graceful flight with awkward clumsiness on land, making them very fun to watch.
Please be careful not to get too close to them as it can scare them, causing them to stay away from the top of the cave for the rest of the morning. This disturbs their natural behavior and ruins the morning for other people that traveled to see them. Once you have finished viewing the pelicans, walk down the coast as you are highly likely to see other places with pelicans flying by.
Fun Facts
- One of the unique aspects of Brown Pelicans compared to other pelican species is that they can dive from as high as 60 feet in the air to catch fish
- Their nesting season can extend from January through October
- Brown pelicans normally lay three eggs
- Adult pelicans share incubation duties
- They can live up to 40 years
- Their throat poach can hold over 2 gallons of water
There are so many beautiful animals to see at La Jolla Cove. California Brown Pelicans are an amazing sight that you cannot miss on your next visit to La Jolla Cove. Whether it’s a relaxing walk along the coast or an exciting scuba dive tour, the animals you’ll see will all be amazing! If you would like to explore La Jolla Cove from the water, give us a call at (619) 415-9426 or visit our website to book a dive today!
NPS. (2020, May 1). NPS. https://www.nps.gov/chis/learn/nature/brown-pelican.htm
