🌿ESM

Are There Brown Pelicans in Maryland?

Brown Pelicans are rare vagrants to Maryland's coast, occasionally appearing during late summer and fall months. While these large seabirds have their primary range in warmer southern waters, wandering individuals sometimes reach Maryland's Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic shores. Sightings remain uncommon and unpredictable, but birders monitoring coastal areas can observe these striking birds.

T

By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 21, 2026.

Brown Pelican photographed in Maryland

Brown Pelican · Laura Gaudette CC BY

Brown Pelican photographed in Maryland

Brown Pelican · James Muehlner CC BY-SA

Brown Pelican photographed in Maryland

Brown Pelican · Jonathan Eisen CC BY

Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
Found in Maryland
23,309
GBIF records
6
birding hotspots

Yes, brown pelicans are in Maryland. Next you'll want:

Brown Pelicans are rare vagrants to Maryland's coast, occasionally appearing during late summer and fall months. While these large seabirds have their primary range in warmer southern waters, wandering individuals sometimes reach Maryland's Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic shores. Sightings remain uncommon and unpredictable, but birders monitoring coastal areas can observe these striking birds.

Where Brown Pelicans Appear in Maryland

Brown Pelicans reach Maryland almost exclusively as vagrant visitors during late summer and fall months. When pelicans do appear, they favor coastal Atlantic waters and the Chesapeake Bay's open expanses, particularly areas with good fish populations. The eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay around Kent Island and the mouth of the Choptank River occasionally host wandering individuals. Ocean City's coastal waters represent another reliable vagrant hotspot, given the proximity to deeper offshore habitats and active fish populations. The waters around Point Lookout State Park, where the Potomac River meets the Chesapeake, have produced records during peak vagrant season. Barrier islands and coastal marshes along Assawoman Bay provide transitional habitats where southern species sometimes appear. Maryland's latitude places it near the northern edge of this species' irregular dispersal range, making sightings less frequent than in Virginia or the Carolinas but still possible during fall migration. The Chesapeake's vast size and productive waters occasionally attract pelicans seeking fish, though cold temperatures limit how long they remain. Seethe Brown Pelican guide for Marylandfor more.

Seasonal Timing and Migration Patterns

Brown Pelicans in Maryland follow a predictable seasonal pattern tied to post-breeding dispersal from southern breeding grounds. Most sightings occur between late August and November, with peak numbers typically in September and early October. This timing aligns with the end of the breeding season in the Carolinas and northward wandering of some individuals seeking additional feeding territories. Spring records are extremely rare, indicating that northbound migration through Maryland is minimal or occurs via different routes. Summer sightings are absent, confirming no resident breeding population exists in Maryland. Winter disappears entirely from sighting records, as the Chesapeake begins freezing and ocean temperatures drop well below the tolerance range for tropical-adapted birds. The vagrants reaching Maryland are predominantly younger birds dispersing from colonies farther south rather than breeding adults following predictable migratory routes. Understanding this seasonal rhythm helps birders time their surveys to maximize detection probability during peak occurrence periods in autumn. Seethe Maryland wildlife guidefor more.

Identifying Brown Pelicans

Brown Pelicans are enormous water birds unmistakable once observed at reasonable distance, even for novice birders. Adults measure approximately four feet in length with wingspans reaching nine feet or more, making them among the largest water birds in North America. Breeding plumage features a distinctive chestnut-brown neck with a white and pale yellow head contrasting sharply with the dark body. Non-breeding birds, including fall vagrants likely to be seen in Maryland, show more muted coloring with a white neck and pale head but retain the dark brown upperparts and wings. The massive, long bill with an enormous expandable throat pouch serves as an instant field mark distinguishing them from all similar species. Wings appear dark with lighter flight feathers visible in flight, creating a striking two-toned wing pattern. The barrel-shaped body and ponderous posture distinguish them from the sleeker silhouettes of cormorants or herons. In flight, the slow, heavy wingbeats and occasional spectacular plunge-diving into water make identification absolutely certain. Even distant silhouettes show the characteristic thick neck and massive bill profile unmistakable in Maryland waters. Seethe national wildlife hubfor more.

Where to Look for Sightings in Maryland

Successfully spotting Brown Pelicans in Maryland requires focusing on specific productive coastal habitats during peak vagrant season. Ocean City's inlet and surrounding waters represent the single most productive location historically, given direct access to deeper ocean channels where pelicans hunt. Point Lookout State Park's waters and beaches offer excellent viewing opportunities where the Potomac meets the Chesapeake Bay's main basin. The eastern shore of the Chesapeake near Kent Island and the Choptank River mouth provides good habitat, particularly from elevated vantage points overlooking open water. Assawoman Bay's barrier islands and coastal marshes occasionally attract wandering individuals, especially near the Maryland-Virginia border region. The Chester River's mouth area and the Upper Eastern Shore's open water sections create suitable feeding habitat for rare visitors. Pelagic boat trips departing from Ocean City during September and October increase detection odds significantly compared to shore-based watching. Jetties and beach access points near Wye Mills and the Miles River offer shoreline viewing spots. Regular monitoring of these locations during peak season by organized birding groups maximizes the chances of detecting and confirming vagrant sightings.

Behavior and Daily Habits

Brown Pelicans display specialized hunting and social behaviors adapted for warm-water coastal environments found primarily south of Maryland. These birds are dramatic diving hunters, plunging from heights of 30 to 60 feet above water to capture fish in their expandable throat pouches. Groups of pelicans often cooperate during feeding, herding fish into dense schools before executing coordinated diving attacks. Outside hunting periods, pelicans spend considerable time resting on water, rocks, or sandy islands, preening and maintaining social bonds within their loose flocks. Their heavy bodies and slow flight patterns suggest inefficiency, yet they navigate coastal currents and long distances with steady persistence despite their ponderous appearance. In Maryland's cooler waters, vagrant pelicans must quickly locate adequate food supplies or face caloric deficits threatening survival. Most Maryland sightings involve birds remaining in the state for only days or weeks before departing southward. Food stress and declining water temperatures likely drive these movements rather than planned migration routes. Unlike opportunistic gulls, pelicans do not scavenge human refuse or docks, instead seeking living fish in open water. Vocalizations remain minimal compared to other seabirds, with occasional grunts and bill clattering during social interactions.

Coexistence and Legal Protections

Brown Pelicans are federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, making it illegal to harm, harass, or capture these birds anywhere in the United States, including Maryland. The species' previous listing under the Endangered Species Act until 1985 reflects its recovery and informs the protective framework currently in place. Vagrant pelicans appearing in Maryland represent healthy population dynamics and natural range expansion behaviors observed across many bird species. These birds pose zero threat to humans, swimmers, or beach users and actively avoid close human contact. Commercial and recreational fishing interests in Maryland have never reported conflicts with Brown Pelicans, as these birds target specific fish species and sizes different from human harvest targets. The Chesapeake Bay's productive waters support abundant fish populations sufficient for both human use and visiting wildlife. No special precautions are necessary for beach users or boaters encountering pelicans. Reporting sightings to the Maryland Ornithological Society or Maryland Department of Natural Resources contributes valuable data on vagrant patterns and population dynamics. Responsible bird watching etiquette, maintaining distance and avoiding disturbance, ensures pelican safety and comfort. Learn more aboutMaryland's wildlifeand how to report sightings.

Similar Species and Identification Challenges

While Brown Pelicans are generally distinctive, several large water birds inhabit Maryland's coastal environment potentially causing confusion for inexperienced observers. The American White Pelican is larger with entirely white plumage and a bright orange bill, making confusion virtually impossible despite superficial similarity. Double-crested Cormorants are common in Maryland waters and appear dark brown like young pelicans, yet their smaller size, slender necks, and lack of the massive bill and pouch distinguish them clearly. The Anhinga, a southern species occasionally appearing as a vagrant, possesses a thin, sinuous neck and straight dagger-like bill unlike the pelican's hooked bill and pouched structure. Great Blue Herons share Maryland's coastal waters and similar size range, but their thin necks, spear-like bills, and upright posture contrast sharply with the pelican's bulk. Common Loons and other diving birds share the bay environment but display radically different proportions and smaller overall size. Pied-billed Grebes, though much smaller, occasionally perplex casual observers due to their diving behavior and water affinity. Consulting field guides and reviewing photographs ofMaryland wildlifebefore birding trips provides helpful reference material for confident identification of all species.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I search for Brown Pelicans in Maryland's waters? The best opportunities occur during September and October, when post-breeding dispersal from southern colonies reaches its peak. Focus coastal surveys during these months for maximum sighting chances. Are Brown Pelicans safe to approach or photograph? Brown Pelicans are wild birds and relatively wary, naturally maintaining distance from humans and avoiding close contact on beaches or water. Approach from distance and avoid activities that might stress or displace these rare visitors. Can Brown Pelicans breed or survive year-round in Maryland? No, Maryland's climate, cold winter waters, and limited suitable nesting habitat make long-term residency impossible. All records represent temporary vagrants departing before winter sets in. What do Brown Pelicans eat when they appear in Maryland? These birds hunt live fish, diving for species like mullet, menhaden, and silversides in coastal and bay waters. Do they compete with human fisheries? Brown Pelicans target different fish species and sizes than most commercial operations, so direct competition is minimal.

Plan your brown pelican sighting in Maryland

23,309 verified brown pelican records have been logged in Maryland, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.

Where to look in Maryland

Birding hotspots via eBird (Cornell Lab).

Recent brown pelican sightings

  • Maryland, US (38.212, -75.156) · 2026-07-20 20:54 · 7 seen
  • Point Lookout State Park · 2026-07-20 18:04 · 50 seen
  • 11204 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, Maryland, US (38.419, -75.055) · 2026-07-20 17:08 · 2 seen
  • North Beach--fishing pier · 2026-07-20 17:00 · 5 seen
  • Chesapeake Bay, Annapolis US-MD 38.84449, -76.46043 · 2026-07-20 11:05 · 2 seen

Planning a trip to see brown pelican? Find places to stay near Antietam National Battlefield on Booking.com.

More wildlife in Maryland

Bat in MarylandHawk in MarylandPelican in Maryland