Pelicans and seabirds

Why don't we see baby pelicans here on the coast?

Almost all pelican breeding colonies are inland, or in remote areas, away from humans. From hatching, the chicks reach full size at around 70 days. These young birds can be seen along the coast and are brown and white, compared to the black and white adults.

Is it worth phoning about an injured bird which can still fly?

Indeed it is! Many species of waterbirds and seabirds can be lured up close enough for capture, even if they can still fly. The sooner we rescue the injured ones, the better chance of survival.

If hooks rust away in a few days, why bother phoning about a hooked bird?

Even the common steel hooks take up to 12 months to rust away. During that time, the bird will likely suffer major (possibly fatal) infection.

There is a pelican with a big fish caught in its throat. Will it be okay?

Pelicans often swallow some large fish carcasses, thrown to them by fishermen who are cleaning their catch. They will only take into their bill, the fish they know they can swallow. They have the ability to regurgitate it, if it’s impossible to digest.

There are pelicans on the beach where I want to walk my little dog. Will my dog be safe?

There are no substantiated reports of pelicans eating small dogs, nor could they, or want to. Pelicans eating Chihuahuas is an urban myth

There are lice all over the pelicans. Will they live on humans?

The lice on pelicans are species specific… that is they will not survive on other species, including humans. When handling pelicans, rescuers often become covered in these lice, and although making the rescuer quite uncomfortable, the lice usually jump off after about an hour.

Is 'swimmers itch' caused by the lice from pelicans?

No. This condition has also been called 'pelican itch’ and has nothing to do with the lice from pelicans.

Should we amputate a bird’s hopelessly injured wing, and let the bird go?

No. Definitely not. The quality of life of the bird is severely compromised if it has no power of flight. Euthanasia by a veterinarian is the only option.

Is it okay to feed the pelicans and gulls?

Although I have no objections to small amounts of fresh fish scraps left over from fish-cleaning, being fed to birds, it is not advised. In some species, it may well alter the behaviour of the bird, or make it too friendly, placing it in dangerous situations. No food, other than fresh fish, should ever be fed to a seabird or waterbird. In some States, it may be an offence to feed wildlife.

I just rescued a bird. Is it a seabird?

Generally, seabirds have webbed feet, live in a saltwater environment, and eat fish, crustaceans or marine organisms. Many books have varying opinions on seabirds, shorebirds and waterbirds. Consult your local wildlife rescue group or government wildlife agency for correct identification.

Are pelicans seabirds?

In Australia, pelicans are generally regarded as waterbirds, although they have webbed feet and eat fish. However, they are located inland as well as along the coast. There are seven species of pelicans in the world. The American Brown pelican is the only species regarded as a seabird because it only forages at sea.

Are the 'bubbles' under the skin of a pelican, subcutaneous emphysema?

In 99.99% of cases, no, it is not subcutaneous emphysema. All pelicans have a layer of bubbles under most of their torso. It is believed to be for flotation and insulation.

In examination of dead pelicans, the 'bubble' layer looks remarkably like the 'post-pak' bubble wrap, that is used to protect parcels in the mail. It is quite normal, and found in healthy pelicans as well as sick and injured ones.

However, this condition has been noticed in the walls of the oesophagus of a few pelicans, but no cause was determined and the condition appeared to be only temporary. No other evidence of the condition on any other part of the body has been found in over 1000 pelicans rescued.