The brown pelican is a common aquatic bird in the Chesapeake Bay. They migrate up the Atlantic coast in summer to feed and raise young. Brown pelicans have extended their range northward and now inhabit the entire Chesapeake Bay during the summer season.
Adults are brown with white heads and necks. Their long bills are equipped with a large pouch for capturing prey. In flight, their six foot wingspan and uniquely-shaped bill are identifying features.
In the Chesapeake Bay, brown pelicans feed on menhaden, bay anchovies, gizzard shad, herring, mummichogs, and other species. They feed mainly by diving and engulfing their prey with their specialized bills.
Important brown pelican nesting areas in the Chesapeake Bay include Martin National Wildlife Refuge on Smith Island, Holland Island, Poplar Island, and other isolated areas.
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