BirdAnalyst
Species · Florida · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Brown Pelican Population Trend in Florida

All statesWetland birds

Brown Pelican in Florida has declined: down 27% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-27%Since 1968
34Routes In State
58Years

Notable Brown Pelican Trends in Florida

No notable trend signals for Brown Pelican in Florida. See the full index history below.

Brown Pelican Population Forecast in Florida

If the recent trend holds, Brown Pelican in Florida is projected to rise about 151% by 2029 — from 0.49 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.2 (95% range 0.00–3.0). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±227.7%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+151%Change by 2029
1.2Projected 2029 index
0.00–3.095% range
±227.7%Backtest error
19662029
Projection of the recent trend (dashed) with 80/95% bands — a projection, not a prediction. Habitat, climate, and land use are not modeled.
YearProjected index95% low95% high
20251.20.003.0
20261.20.003.0
20271.20.003.0
20281.20.003.0
20291.20.003.0

Brown Pelican Survey Routes in Florida

Routes recording Brown Pelican in Florida.
Vero Beach1920221993
Alligator Pt1420241988
Port St Joe 21420192015
Scottsmoor1120241968
Santa Rosa1120031987
Sebastian919921987
Ft Waltn Bch820111966
Plantation K820041966
Port St Joe720141967
Merritt Isl720111991
St Vincent I620191995
Steinhatchee520141992
Mabel520012001
Ridge Harbor420161999
Merritt Island 2420142014
Indiantown420171988
Boca Raton419901968
Ft Gadsden320241971
Key West319871987
Indiantown 2220212019
Sugarloaf Key 2220052005
Pleasant Grove 2220232017
Pleasant Gr220071994
Cross City220231989
Punta Gorda120091980

Brown Pelican Population Trend in Other States

alabamacaliforniageorgialouisiananorth-carolinaoregonsouth-carolinatexasvirginiawashington

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22.