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Starving, Dying Brown Pelicans Becoming a Problem on Oregon Coast
Published 01/25/2010
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| Pelicans on the central coast (Photo courtesy Whale Watch Center). |
(Oregon Coast) – An enormous number of Brown Pelicans being spotted along the Oregon are now becoming a problem, say authorities. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USWS) has been receiving calls about Brown Pelicans that are either washing up dead on the coast or are exhibiting behavior which is uncharacteristic for the species – such as begging for food, no fear of humans, eating bread crumbs as handouts. Many of the birds are emaciated, or starving and this is the reason for their seemingly lack of fear of humans.
The USWS is urging the public to not feed the birds, even though it may seem humane or even entertaining to do so.
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| Pelicans photo by Roy Lowe, USFWS |
“Please do not feed these birds,” said the USWS in a press release. “This will only lead to further habituation of these birds to handouts from humans. It is important that these birds continue on their migratory route.”
It is asking that the public call authorities if they see one of the birds.
California Brown Pelicans are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and it is against the law to capture, kill, or possess these birds. Anyone found in violation of this law could face penalties of up to $15,000 in fines and/or six months imprisonment for each violation. If you have information of anyone violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act please fill in the violation report form at their website: or call your local U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Special Agent at: (503) 682-6131
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| Photo courtesy Whale Watch Center |
If you come upon a Brown Pelican that is still alive but appears to be starving, the USWS has a list of things to do:
If the bird is in the area of the coast from Astoria to Yachats please call the Wildlife Center of the North Coast at (503) 338-3954. Visit their Web site at www.coastwildlife.org/Home.html
If the bird is in the area of the coast from Florence south to Gold Beach please call Free Flight Bird Rehabilitation at (541) 347-3882. Visit their Web site is www.freeflightwildlife.org
If you find a dead Brown Pelican please leave it where you found it. Under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act it is illegal to possess any part of a migratory bird, dead or alive. If you find a dead pelican please contact the Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team at (206) 221-6893 or visit their Web site at: http://depts.washington.edu/coasst/
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| Pelicans photo by Roy Lowe, USFWS |
After the breeding season in California and Mexico, California Brown Pelicans migrate north throughout California, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia in the summer months and usually begin to head back south in large numbers in October. This year, however, a large number of pelicans remained along the Oregon coast through the winter.
Recent storms and high winds have limited the pelicans ability to hunt and dive for food. These and other unknown factors contribute to the pelicans’ behavior to beg for food.
“We discourage hand feeding pelicans as their diet is very particular,” said the USWS. “Good intentions of feeding pelicans the bones and heads of fish can cause damage to the pelicans’ throat pouch. Also fish bait can be contaminated with harmful bacteria or may be treated with chemicals to promote better fishing or preserve the bait, but it can make a pelican very ill.”
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