Gulf Coast Ecosystem
The Brown Pelican, Louisiana's state bird, is unique among pelicans in that it is a plunge diver, tucking in its wings and hurtling beak-first into the water to catch its prey. Using its bill and pouch like a net, it scoops up fish, strains the water out of its bill, and throws its head back to swallow its catch. Watching the Brown Pelican hunt is a thrilling sight. But the loss of coastal barrier islands and wetlands habitat where pelicans nest and raise their young has been accelerated by global warming and a series of devastating storms. Read more.
brown pelican (Pelicanus occidentalis)