Are There Brown Pelicans in New Hampshire?
Brown Pelicans are rare and irregular visitors to New Hampshire's Atlantic coast, appearing primarily in fall and occasionally in summer. While the state's short coastline and cold northern waters are not ideal Brown Pelican habitat, occasional sightings occur when birds wander north along the Atlantic seaboard.
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 · Laura Gaudette CC BY
Brown Pelican · James Muehlner CC BY-SA
Brown Pelican · Jonathan Eisen CC BY
- 50
- GBIF records
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- birding hotspots
Yes, brown pelicans are in New Hampshire. Next you'll want:
Brown Pelicans are rare and irregular visitors to New Hampshire's Atlantic coast, appearing primarily in fall and occasionally in summer. While the state's short coastline and cold northern waters are not ideal Brown Pelican habitat, occasional sightings occur when birds wander north along the Atlantic seaboard.
Where Brown Pelicans Are Found in New Hampshire
Brown Pelicans are extremely rare in New Hampshire but occasional sightings have been documented along the Atlantic coast. The state's coastline is the shortest on the Atlantic seaboard at just eighteen miles, concentrated around Portsmouth and the Isles of Shoals. Any Brown Pelican in New Hampshire would likely be found in the saltwater environments of the Piscataqua River estuary or the nearby coastal waters around Great Bay. The Isles of Shoals, a small archipelago off Portsmouth, offers rocky islands and productive fishing waters that might occasionally attract a wandering pelican. Portsmouth Harbor itself has hosted rare pelican sightings in past years. The Great Bay area, where the Piscataqua and Salmon Rivers meet the ocean, represents the most likely hotspot for any pelican appearance. These locations offer the coastal fish populations that pelicans seek. Check theNew Hampshire wildlife hubfor information about other coastal waterbirds.
Seasons and Timing in New Hampshire
Brown Pelicans appear in New Hampshire almost exclusively in fall, from August through October, as young birds disperse from Atlantic colonies after breeding season. Late summer is the peak window for sightings, particularly September and October when juveniles wander north exploring new waters and food sources. Occasional spring records exist but are much rarer than fall appearances. A few pelicans may linger into early November if conditions remain mild, but freezing temperatures in winter make the New Hampshire coast inhospitable to this tropical and subtropical species. Winter Brown Pelicans anywhere in New England would be exceptional, as cold water and ice make hunting impossible for birds adapted to warmer coasts. The northern Atlantic has never been prime habitat for Brown Pelicans, so any appearance here is an aberration from normal behavior. Spring migration occasionally brings birds north along the coast, but most pass south of New Hampshire heading to established breeding colonies.
How to Identify a Brown Pelican
Brown Pelicans are among the largest and most striking waterbirds in the world, making them unmistakable when observed carefully. These massive birds reach up to five feet in length with wingspans approaching ten feet, larger than most eagles. The most distinctive feature is the enormous bill, which exceeds the length of the head and has a large pouch underneath for scooping fish. Adults are predominantly brown and grayish-brown with white on the belly and neck. The head displays browns, yellows, and grays depending on season and age. Non-breeding birds, which would be seen in New Hampshire, lack the bright yellow and red breeding plumage found on birds at southern colonies. Juveniles are mostly brown with pale bellies. In flight, Brown Pelicans fly with powerful wingbeats, often skimming just above the water surface in characteristic formation patterns.
Where Sightings Concentrate in New Hampshire
Any Brown Pelican appearing in New Hampshire would most likely be found at Portsmouth Harbor and the adjacent coastal areas. Portsmouth Harbor and the Piscataqua River estuary provide shallow waters rich in fish, creating an attractive feeding area for any pelican present. The rocky Isles of Shoals, located about six miles offshore, have hosted pelican sightings and offer good roosting habitat and fishing opportunities. The area around the mouth of the Piscataqua River where it joins Great Bay provides productive saltwater habitat with complex channels and islands. Great Bay itself, New Hampshire's largest estuary, has brackish water and abundant fish that could sustain a wandering pelican. Odiorne Point State Park, on the coast near Portsmouth, offers rocky outcrops and viewpoints where a bird might rest. Little Harbor, Rye Harbor, and the coastal marshes of the southern coast would be secondary possibilities. TheNew Hampshire wildlife hubfeatures other water birds found in these same coastal zones.
Typical Behavior of Brown Pelicans
Brown Pelicans are highly specialized fish hunters that spend their entire lives centered around water and feeding. These birds dive spectacularly to catch fish, plunging from several feet above the water surface and disappearing completely underwater. A pelican's throat pouch can hold several fish at once, and a single bird may make thirty or more dives in a day. Brown Pelicans are social birds that often roost together in small groups, sitting on water or on rocks and pilings when resting. They are powerful fliers capable of traveling long distances on steady wingbeats, which allows young birds to explore far from their natal colonies. In New Hampshire, any Brown Pelican would be hunting small fish in the coastal waters and might remain for days or weeks if conditions are favorable. The bird would likely spend mornings and afternoons fishing and evenings roosting on exposed rocks or piers.
Coexistence and Legal Protections
Brown Pelicans are fully protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and cannot be harmed, collected, or harassed in any state, including New Hampshire. The species was removed from the federal endangered species list in 2009 after a remarkable recovery from pesticide-caused population crashes, but protection continues. If you encounter a Brown Pelican in New Hampshire, observe it from a safe distance and avoid any disturbance. The bird is far from its normal habitat and may already be stressed by the experience. Do not attempt to feed, capture, or chase the pelican. Report any sighting to New Hampshire Audubon or the state's Fish and Game Department, as these records help scientists monitor population changes and range expansions. Your observation contributes valuable data to conservation efforts. See thenational wildlife hubfor more about bird protection and ethical observation practices.
Species Easily Confused with Brown Pelicans
While Brown Pelicans are large and distinctive, several other large waterbirds in New Hampshire might cause confusion, especially in poor lighting conditions. The Great Blue Heron is a common coastal wader that shares similar coloring but is far more slender with a long thin neck rather than a bulky body. Cormorants, particularly Double-crested Cormorants, are dark water divers that also hunt fish but are much smaller and have thin necks and pointed bills instead of the massive pouch. The Common Loon, a large diving bird on New Hampshire's lakes and coastal waters, is smaller and has a different body shape and diving behavior. Northern Gannets dive from the air like pelicans but are white with black wings and occur well offshore. American White Pelicans, though extremely rare this far north, would show obvious white plumage rather than brown. The massive size, distinctive bill, and overall bulk of a Brown Pelican make it quite recognizable once learned.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have Brown Pelicans ever appeared in New Hampshire? Yes, rare sightings have been documented along the coast, particularly near Portsmouth and the Isles of Shoals, though records are infrequent. Why would Brown Pelicans come so far north to New Hampshire? Young pelicans disperse from Atlantic breeding colonies in late summer and sometimes wander much farther north than typical, following food sources or becoming disoriented. The cold northern waters are not ideal, but birds may linger briefly. What should I do if I see a Brown Pelican in New Hampshire? Observe the bird from a distance without disturbing it. Report the sighting to New Hampshire Audubon, Fish and Game, or local birding groups. Your record helps track the species. Are there other large waterbirds in New Hampshire I might confuse with pelicans? Great Blue Herons and Double-crested Cormorants are common coastal birds. Check theNew Hampshire guideandstate hubto compare similar species.
Plan your brown pelican sighting in New Hampshire
50 verified brown pelican records have been logged in New Hampshire, most recently in 2019. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in New Hampshire
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Odiorne Point SP, Rye · 315 species recorded
- New Hampshire Coast (consider using a more specific location) · 314 species recorded
- Isles of Shoals (NH) · 308 species recorded
- Isles of Shoals--Star Island, Rye · 290 species recorded
- Hampton-Seabrook Marsh · 272 species recorded
- Rye Harbor SP (Ragged Neck) · 254 species recorded
Birding hotspots via eBird (Cornell Lab).
More wildlife in New Hampshire