History of Pelican in Timeline

Pelicans are large water birds belonging to the Pelecanidae family. They're known for their distinctive long beaks and large throat pouches, which they use to catch prey by scooping them up along with water, then draining the water before swallowing. Most pelicans have pale plumage, except for the brown and Peruvian species. Before the breeding season, the bills, pouches, and bare facial skin of all pelicans become brightly colored.

1910: Popular limerick about the pelican composed

In 1910, Dixon Lanier Merritt composed a popular limerick about the pelican.

1939: Anatomical dissections reveal air sac system in pelicans

In 1939, anatomical dissections of brown pelicans revealed a network of air sacs under the skin, connected to the respiratory system, providing buoyancy and potentially cushioning impact during dives.

1970: Brown Pelican listed as endangered in the US

In 1970, the brown pelican was listed as an endangered species in the United States due to plummeting numbers caused by DDT pollution.

1972: DDT ban implemented in the US

In 1972, an effective ban on the use of DDT was implemented in the US, which helped the eggshells of breeding brown pelicans thicken and their populations recover.

1972: Restrictions on DDT use in the US

In 1972, restrictions on the use of DDT were implemented in the United States to combat environmental pollution, which significantly impacted the brown pelican population.

May 1975: Pelicans die from pesticide poisoning in Louisiana

In May 1975, over 300 pelicans died in Louisiana from poisoning by the pesticide endrin, following a re-establishment effort involving imported pelicans from Florida.

1990: Pelicans perish from botulism at Salton Sea

In 1990, approximately 14,000 pelicans, including 7,500 American white pelicans, perished from botulism after consuming fish from the Salton Sea.

1991: Pelican deaths due to domoic acid contamination

In 1991, abnormal numbers of brown pelicans and Brandt's cormorants died at Santa Cruz, California, due to their food fish (anchovies) being contaminated with neurotoxic domoic acid.

1996: Pelican depicted on Albanian coin

In 1996, a pelican was depicted on the reverse of the Albanian 1 lek coin.

1998: Peruvian Pelican population declined during El Niño event

In 1998, the Peruvian pelican population dramatically declined during the El Niño event.

2005: American White Pelican population estimated

In 2005, the American white pelican population was estimated at over 157,000 birds, with an increase in numbers east of the continental divide.

2007: Report estimates Brown Pelicans affected by California oil spills

In 2007, a report estimated that between 500 and 1,000 brown pelicans had been affected by oil spills in California over the previous 20 years.

2008: Cladogram based on Hackett et al.

In 2008, a cladogram based on Hackett et al. was created to represent the evolutionary relationships of pelicans.

2009: Brown Pelican delisted in the US

In 2009, the brown pelican was delisted as an endangered species in the United States due to its population recovery following restrictions on DDT use.