Louisiana State Bird: Brown Pelican
Fact-checked • Updated November 29, 2025
Louisiana State Bird – Brown Pelican
Louisiana designated the Brown Pelican as its official state bird in 1966. Populations disappeared from the state by 1963 after widespread pesticide exposure. Restoration programs in the 1970s supported a return to coastal habitats. Birds now feed along Gulf Coast beaches and move through nearby estuaries.
Why Louisiana Chose This Bird
Louisiana adopted the Brown Pelican in 1966. By then, DDT had eliminated every breeding colony in the state. No pelicans nested in Louisiana after 1963. Officials chose the bird anyway to signal their commitment to coastal restoration.
Centuries of nesting preceded the collapse. Fishermen saw pelicans daily before DDT reached Louisiana coasts. Breeding pairs disappeared between 1961 and 1963. Recovery looked unlikely in 1966.
Restoration began in 1968. Wildlife agencies imported birds from Florida. Queen Bess Island in Barataria Bay hosted the first releases. Breeding pairs returned by 1971.
Legislative History
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1966 Designation
The state legislature passed the bird designation in 1966. Louisiana had no breeding pelicans at that time. Officials made a symbolic choice rather than celebrating an existing population. The timing reflected hope for future recovery.
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Restoration Timeline
Wildlife managers began importing pelicans from Florida in 1968. They released birds at protected coastal islands. Queen Bess Island became the primary nesting refuge. Populations grew steadily through the 1970s and 1980s. Federal authorities removed the species from endangered status in 2009.
What This Bird Represents
Coastal Identity
Brown Pelicans represent Louisiana's connection to Gulf waters. Commercial fishermen and recreational anglers see them daily. The birds follow fishing boats and dive near piers. Coastal residents consider pelicans essential to the seascape.
Recovery Success
The species demonstrates wildlife conservation achievements. Louisiana lost all pelicans by 1963 but restored them within a decade. This recovery happened through coordinated state and federal efforts. The story shows environmental restoration can succeed despite severe setbacks.
Physical Characteristics
Size and Build
Adults measure 42 to 54 inches long. Wingspan reaches 79 inches. Weight ranges from 6 to 12 pounds, with males averaging heavier than females. Long bills measure 11 to 14 inches. The expandable throat pouch holds up to 3 gallons of water.
Plumage Patterns
Body feathers appear gray-brown year-round. Head turns white in adults with yellow crown during breeding season. Neck develops chestnut-brown coloring when breeding. Juveniles show entirely brown plumage for their first three years. Bill color shifts from gray to reddish during courtship.
Behavior and Song
Feeding Method
Brown Pelicans plunge-dive from heights up to 60 feet. They spot fish while flying, then fold wings and drop. Birds rotate their bodies to enter water bill-first. The impact stuns small fish. Pelicans surface, drain water from the pouch, and swallow prey whole.
Vocalizations
Adults stay mostly silent away from nesting colonies. You hear low hissing sounds during aggressive interactions. Nestlings produce high-pitched begging calls. Breeding adults grunt when defending territory. These sounds carry poorly beyond the immediate nesting area.
Habitat and Range
Coastal Preference
Brown Pelicans inhabit marine and estuarine environments exclusively. They nest on barrier islands and mangrove islands. Feeding happens in shallow coastal waters, bays, and estuaries. Birds avoid freshwater habitats. Louisiana populations concentrate along the Gulf Coast from the Texas border to the Mississippi Delta.
Nesting Sites
Colonies form on isolated islands protected from land predators. Queen Bess Island hosts Louisiana's largest breeding population. Pairs build stick nests in low vegetation or directly on sand. Ground nesting occurs more commonly in Louisiana than in other states. Three to four eggs form typical clutches.
Interesting Facts
Fact 1 of 5
Brown Pelicans dive from heights reaching 60 feet, hitting water at speeds up to 40 miles per hour. Air sacs beneath their skin cushion the impact.
Brown Pelican Songs & Calls
Hear the clear whistles and sharp calls of the Brown Pelican. These field recordings capture their distinctive voice in natural habitat.
Audio licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Sources & References
This article has been researched using authoritative sources to ensure accuracy and reliability. All information has been fact-checked and verified against official government records and scientific databases.
Scientific information on Brown Pelican behavior, identification, and ecology. • Accessed: November 30, 2025
Species profile including habitat, conservation status, and range maps. • Accessed: November 30, 2025
General overview including species biology, distribution, and recovery history. • Accessed: November 30, 2025
Information on Louisiana's critical brown pelican nesting refuge and restoration efforts. • Accessed: November 30, 2025
Species overview including physical characteristics, diet, and conservation history. • Accessed: November 30, 2025
Federal fact sheet on brown pelican biology and endangered species recovery. • Accessed: November 30, 2025
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