Brown Pelicans are a rare sight in the Salish Sea, making this moment an exciting highlight for both our guests and crew. The bird glided gracefully along the shoreline before settling on the rocks, offering everyone onboard a perfect view (and some fantastic photo opportunities!).
🧭 Why This Sighting Matters
Brown Pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) are typically found much farther south — along the Pacific coasts of California, Mexico, and Central America. While they occasionally wander into British Columbia’s waters during the summer months, it’s not common to see one so far north, making this encounter especially noteworthy.
Seeing species like this outside their normal range can be influenced by changing ocean conditions, wind patterns, food availability, or even climate change. It’s a good reminder that ecosystems are always shifting and the Salish Sea is full of surprises.
🤿 Fast Facts: Brown Pelicans
- They’re expert divers: Brown Pelicans are the only pelican species that plunge-dive from the air to catch their food. They can dive from as high as 60 feet, folding their wings and plunging beak-first to scoop up fish.
- They use a built-in fishing net: Their expandable throat pouch can hold over 11 litres of water and fish. After surfacing, they drain the water before swallowing their catch.
- Recovery success story: Once endangered due to pesticide use (particularly DDT), Brown Pelican populations have rebounded thanks to conservation efforts and habitat protections.
🌊 What This Teaches Us
Every wildlife encounter is a chance to learn — not just about the animals, but about the ocean they call home. Rare sightings like this one highlight the incredible diversity of the Salish Sea and underscore the importance of protecting its ecosystems for the species that live here year-round…and those just passing through.
At Seabreeze Adventures, we’re grateful to have passionate naturalists onboard who not only help guests spot wildlife, but also share fascinating insights into the animals’ behaviour, ecology, and conservation.
📍 Where It Happened
This Brown Pelican was spotted just off the Steveston Jetty, close to where our whale watching tours depart — proving that you don’t have to go far from shore to witness something incredible.
🛥️ Join the Adventure
The Salish Sea never ceases to amaze us. From orcas to humpbacks, seals to seabirds — no two trips are ever the same. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just love wildlife surprises, we’d love to welcome you aboard.
📅 Summer tours are running daily from Steveston, BC.
🎟️ Book your spot now at seabreezeadventures.ca
