• Stopping the Oil: a Race Against the Clock
• The Explosion
• What is an Oil Boom?
• Stopping the Leak
• Why Oil is Bad for People and Wildlife
• How Oil Affects Birds and Other Wildlife
• Oil and Food Webs Don’t Mix

• David Ringer
• Greg Butcher
• Melanie Driscoll

• What Kids Can Do
• What is Audubon Doing?

Brown Pelicans

It’s hard to miss a brown pelican.

These large, mostly dark brown coastal birds have pale yellow necks and black feet and legs. Their legs are really short and if you were look at their feet, you’d see that all four toes are webbed. But what really stands out is their long beak with a hooked tip and their giant pouch.

Brown pelicans have large wingspans that can stretch more than six feet. You often see them soaring over the water and then diving down and scooping fish into their large pouches. The pouch is like a giant, flexible strainer that catches fish and other creatures. The pelican's beak really “can hold more than its belly can". The pouch holds about three gallons and the stomach can only hold about one gallon. These birds prefer to nest on islands in shallow estuaries and bays.

Scientists are worried about these birds because they nest and feed in areas that are covered with oil. Brown pelicans were just removed from the U.S. Endangered Species List, after years of effort to help their populations recover from the deadly effects of pesticides and other threats. Now scientists are worried that the spill will take a toll on Gulf Coast populations, potentially landing them in trouble again. Audubon is working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other organizations to monitor populations and make sure we can help ensure their survival.