• East view from Crissy Field overlook with old Coast Guard station on left and city on right

    Presidio of San Francisco

    California

There are park alerts in effect.
show Alerts »

  • CAUTION: Post Storm Damage to Coastal Trail

    The Presidio Coastal Trail segment just north of the Pacific Overlook and adjacent to Lincoln Blvd remains CLOSED indefinitely. We have posted signage to alert bicyclists and hikers and with information for safe trail alternatives. More »

Brown Pelican

(Pelecanus occidentalis)
 
brown pelican
Two immature and a non-breeding adult Brown Pelicans at Crissy marsh.
Will Elder, NPS
 

Natural History: The Brown Pelican's diet consists of fish which it often hunts by taking plunging dives from above the water. It prefers open marine coast lines. Nests are built in colonies on offshore rocks and islands that lack mammalian predators.

General Distribution: In the Presidio, this species can be found over water in coastal areas.

Frequency: The Brown Pelican is common to abundant throughout the year.

Identifying Characteristics: This large, grayish-brown bird is characterized by its large grayish bill with throat pouch. It often flies in small groups low over the water.

Presidio Birds main page

Did You Know?

Albert Sidney Johnston

Colonel Albert Sidney Johnston, commander of the Pacific branch of the army, prepared the defenses of the San Francisco Bay and ordered the first garrison of Fort Point. Kentucky-born Johnston then resigned his commission to join the Confederate Army; he was killed at the battle of Shiloh in 1862.