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Are There Brown Pelicans in New Jersey?

Brown Pelicans are uncommon but regular visitors to New Jersey's Atlantic coast, appearing with increasing frequency during fall migration and occasionally in summer. The state's extensive coastal areas, including bays and estuaries, provide occasional stopover habitat for birds wandering north from established southern breeding colonies. Sightings are concentrated along the Jersey Shore and Delaware Bay region.

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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 New Jersey

Brown Pelican · inbetweenbays CC BY

Brown Pelican photographed in New Jersey

Brown Pelican · Public domain CC0

Eastern Brown Pelican photographed in New Jersey

Eastern Brown Pelican · Jonathan Layman CC BY

Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
Found in New Jersey
20,789
GBIF records
6
birding hotspots

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

Brown Pelicans are uncommon but regular visitors to New Jersey's Atlantic coast, appearing with increasing frequency during fall migration and occasionally in summer. The state's extensive coastal areas, including bays and estuaries, provide occasional stopover habitat for birds wandering north from established southern breeding colonies. Sightings are concentrated along the Jersey Shore and Delaware Bay region.

Where Brown Pelicans Are Found in New Jersey

Brown Pelicans occasionally occur along New Jersey's Atlantic coast and major estuaries, with most sightings concentrated in the southern shore regions. Cape May Point, the state's southernmost tip, is a migration hotspot where pelicans are reported most frequently. Barnegat Bay and the barrier islands that protect it from the ocean create productive shallow water habitat that attracts wandering pelicans. The Cape May National Wildlife Refuge and surrounding marshes provide roosting and feeding opportunities. Delaware Bay, which borders New Jersey to the west, has hosted several Brown Pelican records over the years. The central Jersey Shore around Atlantic City and Long Branch receives occasional pelican sightings as well. Tuckerton and the Pine Barrens coastal area sometimes attract birds. Inlet areas where ocean connects to estuaries are particularly favored as they concentrate fish for hunting. Visit theNew Jersey wildlife hubto explore other water birds found in these productive coastal zones.

Seasons and Timing in New Jersey

Brown Pelicans appear in New Jersey most regularly from July through November, with peak sightings typically occurring in September and October. The late summer dispersal of juvenile pelicans from Atlantic breeding colonies brings birds northward along the coast, and some establish temporary territories in New Jersey waters. Late summer and early fall offer the best window for sightings, though individual birds may remain through the winter if conditions allow. Spring migration brings occasional pelicans moving south and can produce April and May records, though these are much rarer than fall sightings. Winter presence is increasingly common as the species has expanded its range northward over the past decades, and mild winters allow occasional birds to linger into December and January. The water temperatures of the Atlantic and Delaware Bay become too cold for sustained pelican presence by February. Most winter records come from the southern cape region where waters remain slightly warmer and more ice-free.

How to Identify a Brown Pelican

Brown Pelicans are massive waterbirds reaching five feet in length with wingspans of nearly ten feet, making them unmistakable when viewed well. The most distinctive feature is the enormous bill, which is longer than the head and possesses a large throat pouch for capturing fish. Adult plumage is generally brown and grayish-brown with white on the belly and neck. Breeding adults develop striking head coloration with yellows, blacks, and purples, though New Jersey birds are typically non-breeding individuals in duller plumage. Juveniles are mostly brown overall with paler underparts and lack distinctive markings. The head and neck pattern changes with age and season. In flight, Brown Pelicans display powerful wingbeats and often fly in formation just above the water surface, a behavior that distinguishes them from other large waterbirds. The combination of enormous size, giant bill with pouch, and brown coloration makes identification straightforward with a good view.

Where Sightings Concentrate in New Jersey

The highest concentration of Brown Pelican sightings in New Jersey occurs at Cape May Point and surrounding areas, where migration funnels birds through the region. Cape May National Wildlife Refuge, which protects salt marshes and beach areas, is a frequent sighting location. Stone Harbor and Seven Mile Beach provide coastal habitat where pelicans have been recorded. Barnegat Bay, the extensive shallow bay system behind the barrier islands, offers excellent feeding habitat with abundant fish and open water roosting sites. Tuckerton and Little Egg Inlet mark productive areas where oceanic and estuarine waters meet. Delaware Bay, particularly the southern portions near Cape May, has hosted multiple documented sightings over past decades. Corson's Inlet and Atlantic City areas produce occasional records. Inlet mouths where water swirls and concentrates fish are consistently favored locations. TheNew Jersey hublists other seabirds and waterbirds found along the coast.

Typical Behavior of Brown Pelicans

Brown Pelicans are specialized fish hunters that divide their time between diving for meals and resting on water or rocky perches. These birds hunt by flying low over the water surface and diving steeply when they spot fish, plunging several feet underwater to capture prey in their expandable throat pouch. A single pelican may dive twenty to forty times in a day, each dive lasting just seconds but requiring significant energy expenditure. Brown Pelicans are social birds and often rest in small groups on water, pilings, or beach areas. They are powerful fliers capable of sustained flight covering many miles, which explains their ability to reach New Jersey. When present, a pelican spends mornings and afternoons actively hunting and evenings roosting at traditional spots. In New Jersey, pelicans typically remain in the same general area for days or weeks, establishing a familiar hunting territory. Their presence usually goes unnoticed until discovered by attentive birders scanning coastal areas.

Coexistence and Legal Protections

Brown Pelicans are fully protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and cannot be intentionally harassed, captured, or harmed. The species recovered from near extinction due to pesticide impacts and remains protected even though it is no longer listed as endangered. If you encounter a Brown Pelican in New Jersey, observe from a reasonable distance without attempting to approach or feed it. The bird should be allowed to hunt and rest undisturbed. Do not attempt to attract it with fish or other food. Report any sighting to New Jersey Audubon, the state Division of Fish and Wildlife, or birding groups. Your observation helps scientists monitor range expansion and population dynamics. Photographs are especially valuable for documentation. New Jersey's coastal populations benefit from increased awareness of this species and responsible observation practices by residents and visitors. Check thenational wildlife hubfor more about bird protection laws and ethical wildlife viewing.

Species Easily Confused with Brown Pelicans

While Brown Pelicans are distinctive when seen well, several large waterbirds in New Jersey share similar coloring or habitat, potentially causing confusion. The Great Blue Heron is a common coastal bird that shares brown and grayish tones but is far more slender with a long thin neck and pointed bill. Double-crested Cormorants are dark water divers found on New Jersey's coast and bays but are much smaller than pelicans with thinner necks and different diving behavior. Common Loons appear on coastal waters and bays but are smaller and lack the distinctive bill and pouch. Northern Gannets, white seabirds with black wings, dive from the air like pelicans but are entirely different in appearance. American White Pelicans have occasionally appeared in New Jersey and are white with black on the wings, providing obvious contrast. The massive bulk, brown coloration, and giant bill of the Brown Pelican should distinguish it from all other coastal species once learned.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Brown Pelicans breed in New Jersey? No, New Jersey does not host breeding colonies. Pelicans that appear are dispersing young from southern Atlantic colonies or occasional wanderers from established populations. How common are Brown Pelicans in New Jersey? They are uncommon and irregular but increasingly reported, especially in fall. Most years produce several sightings, with Cape May Point being the most reliable location. What months should I look for Brown Pelicans in New Jersey? Late summer through fall, particularly August through October, offers the best chance. Spring migration may produce sightings in April and May. Occasional winter records occur from December through February. How do I report a Brown Pelican sighting? Contact New Jersey Audubon, the state Division of Fish and Wildlife, or post to local birding groups and eBird. Photographs help verify sightings. See theNew Jersey guideandstate hubfor more information.

Plan your brown pelican sighting in New Jersey

20,789 verified brown pelican records have been logged in New Jersey, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.

Where to look in New Jersey

Birding hotspots via eBird (Cornell Lab).

Recent brown pelican sightings

  • Pier Beach · 2026-07-20 18:01 · 1 seen
  • Cape May-Lewes Ferry (NJ waters) · 2026-07-20 17:57 · 2 seen
  • Auto selected 38.95986, -74.81141 · 2026-07-20 15:59 · 1 seen
  • North Atlantic Ocean US-NJ (38.9317,-74.8909) · 2026-07-20 13:48 · 2 seen
  • Island Beach SP (please consider using more specific locations) · 2026-07-20 11:55 · 16 seen

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