Get Involved Now

Here's what to know about helping save the official bird of St. Petersburg

Get Involved Now

Here's what to know about helping save the official bird of St. Petersburg

Pelican Rescues - The Birds

Why are pelicans so prevalent in December through February?

Our local brown pelicans come "home" to roost and nest every year in the winter. They come back to the same mangrove rookery right by Rattlesnake Key to fish in the warmer shallow waters. Joining them are hundreds of white pelicans, literal snowbirds who come down to the same waters each year, like out-of-town relatives seeking a tropical holiday.

Do white and brown pelicans hunt differently?

It's fascinating to see the difference in how these two birds hunt. Brown pelicans lock in on a target and dive for them head-first, hoping for the best. This makes them extra susceptible to getting tangled up with fishing line as they may go after large bait or a fish on your line. The white pelicans hunt in groups, swimming over schools of small fish, gulping them up and filtering out the water.

Are pelicans dangerous?

Unless you are a small fish, no. Honestly, pelicans are just oversized fluffballs, full of personality and individuality, with no defense mechanisms against humans. Their beaks are not sharp or serrated, so while they may try and bite during rescues, they are completely harmless.

Pelican Rescues - The Human Effort

Why is fishing dangerous to pelicans?

People often assume all they need to do if they hook a pelican is to cut the line and set the bird free. Unfortunately, that puts the birds in even more peril. Hooks left in the bird can rip tendons and cause nasty infections. The line can also get wrapped around wings, cutting blood supply like a tourniquet, or like in this video, the line can get wrapped around mangrove branches in the nesting rookery, trapping them to slowly die from starvation.

What does it mean when I see a pelican wandering in my neighborhood?

Pelicans are sensitive to toxins, and if they eat or are exposed to chemicals, they may wander around, appearing both lethargic and intoxicated. Even in this state, they may be able to fly a little, but they will need care to get enough strength to hunt again.

What has rescuing pelicans taught me about being human?

Simply put, we all need a community where we can help and be helped together, without egos or hierarchies. We need to be there for each other when we need it most. We need to care beyond ourselves, even when there isn't something in it for us, other than knowing that another magnificent creature has been helped. It's human decency (and pelican decency) at it's most pure.

How You Can Help

Saving Pelicans

Saving the Ecosystem

From volunteering for rescues, to helping with rehab organizations, to donating goods to the cause, there are many ways you can get involved. Use the following links to find an organization that is right for you:

Skyway Team Bird Rescue Inc.
A hands-on way to help

Birds In Helping Hands

Helping injured and orphaned wildlife return to nature

Save Our Seabirds

Dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of sick, injured and orphaned wild birds for release back into the wild

Saving the Ecosystem

A large corporate conglomerate just announced plans to take over 300 acres of dedicated and protected mangroves and turn it into a mega cruise ship port. This port will be physically adjacent to the pelican mangrove rookery on Terra Ceia Island and will essentially wipe out our pelican neighbor's habitat. This is one of the largest pelican rookeries in the state, and the loss of it is a loss for our wildlife, environment, and our official bird of St. Pete!

Sign the Petition and Volunteer with Suncoast Waterkeepers
Learn about the latest on the mega port and how you can help

People Protecting Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve Facebook Group
Resources including templates and addresses to contact your elected officials, and a connection point for everyday people to unite

Here's what to know about helping save the official bird of St. Petersburg

Here's what to know about helping save the official bird of St. Petersburg