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 Truth, Lies and Pelicans
     Brown pelicans are a common sight along America's shores. Though awkward on land they are powerful fliers. They can often be seen circling over shallow waters, alone or in small groups, in search of fish. They nest from the Florida Keys to the Chesapeake Bay and raise 1 to 3 chicks annually. Pelican rookeries can grow to thousands of nests, although habitat destruction poses an increasing threat to pelican breeding nationwide.
     Brown pelican populations crashed in the 1950's and 60's in large part to the pesticide components DDT and endrin. This crash was so severe, that by 1963, there were no brown pelicans left in Louisiana. Better legal protection, research and reintroduction programs have all helped the brown pelican population to recover, but many risks remain. Fishing tackle continues to make a major impact on the population, while petroleum contamination, botulism poisoning and brevetoxin outbreaks (from red tide algal blooms) also pose serious ongoing threats.

          We need 80,000 pounds of fish a year to feed our patients. Click here to find    out how you can help.

Pelican Facts

Brown pelicans weight between 6 and 9 pounds and have wingspans of up to 8 feet.

Brown pelicans in south Florida nest from November to June and lay 1 to 3 eggs.

The biggest risk to pelicans in Florida is fishing tackle. Other significant causes of pelican mortality in Florida include botulism poisoning

Pelican Myths

"Pelicans carry fish in their pouch"
Pelicans swallow the fish they catch whole, rather than carry it in the pouch. If raising young, the pelican will regurgitate the fish upon arriving back at the nest.

"Pelicans eventually go blind due to the force sustained on their eyes from years of diving for fish."
There is no evidence to suggest that pelicans go blind due to years of diving.

 

This page is still under construction, so check back here in the coming months for more information.