text: Brown pelican in flight. The wingspan of the brown pelican is over 7 feet wide. Long exposure shows motion as a blur. The California race of the brown pelican holds endangered species status. In winter months, breeding adults assume a dramatic plumage with dark brown hindneck and bright red gular throat pouch. La Jolla, USA, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, natural history stock photograph, photo id 15134