The Winter Strain on Coastal Pelicans
This winter, we’ve seen a significant increase in pelicans coming into care. Both Brown Pelican and American White Pelican have been admitted in concerning numbers, and a clear pattern has emerged: many are arriving emaciated, weak, and struggling to survive.
Cold weather changes everything for pelicans. As water temperatures drop, baitfish become less available or move offshore, making foraging far more difficult. Some pelicans migrate through unfamiliar areas where food is unpredictable, while others remain local and increasingly rely on piers, bridges, and fishing hotspots in hopes of finding an easy meal. These areas may offer opportunity but they also carry serious risks.
Fishing line entanglement and hook injuries are common in winter admissions. Line wrapped around wings, legs, or bills, or hooks embedded in soft tissue, can quickly impair a pelican’s ability to feed or move normally. Once injured, a pelican’s condition can decline rapidly. Starvation and trauma often overlap, and even birds without obvious wounds may be profoundly underweight and dehydrated by the time they’re found.
We’re also seeing pelicans that are simply exhausted and nutritionally depleted; found grounded, unable to take off, or lingering in unsafe places because they no longer have the energy to forage effectively. These cases require intensive stabilization, careful nutritional support, and time to rebuild strength before release is even possible.
Pelicans are tough, resilient birds, but winter leaves them with very little margin for error. Limited food availability, long movements, and increased interaction with human activity create a perfect storm that pushes many to the brink. Our team is managing a heavy pelican caseload right now, doing everything possible to give each bird a chance to recover and return to the wild.
As winter continues, these cases tend to rise. Every pelican that makes it back out is hard-won and a reminder of just how challenging this season can be for coastal birds.
Cassie Tessier, CWR
Wildlife Rehabilitation Hospital Manager
