Pelicans are large water birds known for their long beaks and throat pouches, which they use to catch and drain water from their prey. They generally have pale feathers, with the exception of brown and Peruvian pelicans. During breeding season, their bills, pouches, and facial skin become brightly colored.
1910: Pelican limerick by Dixon Lanier Merritt
Dixon Lanier Merritt penned a popular limerick about a pelican in 1910, which later inspired various versions by other authors.
1939: Anatomical dissections of brown pelicans
In 1939, anatomical dissections of two brown pelicans revealed a network of air sacs under their skin, connected to the respiratory system. These air sacs contribute to the bird's buoyancy in water, cushion impact during dives, and potentially aid in heat insulation and aerodynamics.
1970: Brown pelican listed as endangered in the US
Due to the sharp decline in brown pelican populations in the US, primarily from DDT pollution, the species was listed as endangered in 1970.
1972: DDT ban improves brown pelican breeding success
Following the 1972 DDT ban in the US, breeding brown pelicans showed improved breeding success as eggshell thickness recovered.
1972: DDT ban leads to brown pelican population recovery
Following the ban on DDT in 1972, the US brown pelican population started to recover as eggshell thinning was reduced.
May 1975: Pelican deaths from endrin poisoning
In May 1975, over 300 pelicans brought to Louisiana from Florida died from endrin pesticide poisoning.
1990: Pelicans die from botulism at Salton Sea
In 1990, around 14,000 pelicans, including 7,500 American white pelicans, died from botulism after consuming contaminated fish from the Salton Sea.
1991: Pelicans and cormorants die from domoic acid poisoning in California
In 1991, an unusual number of brown pelicans and Brandt's cormorants in Santa Cruz, California, died after consuming anchovies contaminated with domoic acid, a neurotoxin produced by the diatom Pseudo-nitzschia.
1996: Pelican depicted on Albanian coin
The reverse of the Albanian 1 lek coin, released in 1996, features a depiction of a pelican.
1998: Peruvian pelican population decline during El Niño
The Peruvian pelican population experienced a dramatic decline during the 1998 El Niño event, raising concerns about future impacts from similar events.
2005: American white pelican population status
By 2005, the American white pelican population had shown mixed trends, with increases east of the continental divide and declines in the west. The reasons for the decline are not fully understood, with habitat loss and competition with recreational activities being potential factors.
2007: Report on oil spill effects on pelicans in California
A 2007 report submitted to the California Fish and Game Commission estimated that between 500 and 1,000 brown pelicans had been affected by oil spills in California in the preceding 20 years.
2008: Cladogram based on Hackett et al. (2008)
A cladogram based on research by Hackett et al. was published in 2008.
2009: Brown pelican delisted in the US
In 2009, thanks to population recovery, the brown pelican was delisted in the US.
April 2010: Deepwater Horizon oil spill impact on pelicans
The Deepwater Horizon oil spill in April 2010 significantly impacted brown pelicans, with an estimated 9,320 birds harmed, according to a 2011 report by the Center for Biological Diversity.
2011: Report on Deepwater Horizon oil spill impact on pelicans
A year after the April 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, a report by the Center for Biological Diversity revealed that 932 brown pelicans had been collected due to oiling, and estimated that the actual number of birds affected was likely ten times higher.
May 2012: Peruvian pelicans die from starvation and roundworms
Hundreds of Peruvian pelicans reportedly died in Peru in May 2012 due to a combination of starvation and roundworm infestation.