In Finding Nemo, the pelican who helps Marlin is Nigel.
Nigel lives around Sydney Harbour and regularly visits the dentist's aquarium, where he becomes acquainted with Nemo and the other captive fish. After hearing about Marlin's long search, Nigel carries the news to the aquarium and tells Nemo that his father is still trying to find him.
Nigel's message gives Nemo fresh motivation. Nemo then works with the Tank Gang to escape by clogging the aquarium filter, although the dentist later cleans the tank and installs a new filtration system. Nigel eventually rescues Marlin and Dory from seagulls and brings them to the dentist's office, where they witness Nemo's escape plan.
A common mix-up is Gerald, another pelican seen in the film. Gerald does not serve as Marlin's helper; he is associated with a comic scene involving Marlin and Dory. Nigel was voiced by Geoffrey Rush, while the 2003 film was directed by Andrew Stanton and became Pixar's first film to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.