Birds on the Wintery Coast
Brown Pelican
(pelicanus occidentalis californicus)
They were considered endangered from 1970-2009 because of the use of DDT in nesting areas. Since the banning of DDT, populations have done better, although the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill has created some problems for them.
The brown pelican feeds by diving from the air into water (as opposed to birds who fish while swimming).
Coloration is different for juveniles and for adults at breeding time.
Famous for that throat pouch!
Wingspan of 6-7 feet.
Our subspecies ranges from British Columbia to Guatemala.
They live in flocks of both sexes throughout the year and are not known to migrate.
They love to eat sardines, herring and anchovies among other fish.
Can live to 31 years in captivity.
Things that affect them- oil spills! DDT! The sardine population! Ocean warming! They are an indicator species. They can tell us about ocean health and sardine overfishing.
(When a species doesn’t have enough resources, or food, they do not breed as readily. When brown pelicans are not breeding, we can look at the sardine supply for some of the answers.)