Brown Pelican

Louisiana’s state bird, the brown pelican, is an icon of coastal waters. Across Louisiana, brown pelicans can be seen flying low over the waves in single file, gliding in unison. After being pushed to the edge of extinction due to the use of DDT and other pesticides in the 1970s, this species is now a conservation success story. Although brown pelicans benefit from many project types, nesting island restoration projects are particularly important. The restoration of Queen Bess Island has returned a colony that produces over 4,400 nests annually.