The flocks have migrated.
More than 500 white pelicans arrived at the University Lakes last week as part of their annual migration from Canada to the Gulf Coast, said Philip Stouffer, professor at the School of Renewable Natural Resources.
“This year, there seems like more than ever. The other day, I counted about 550, and that was just along one side [of the lake],” Stouffer said.
The birds, known as pelecanus erythrorhynchos, arrived earlier this year than in past years as well, Stouffer said. Normally, the birds land in Baton Rouge in December and stay until spring.
“What’s more interesting is apparently they weren’t using these lakes as much as 25 years ago. There’s a lot more of them in Baton Rouge than there used to be,” he said.
Stouffer said the birds breed near water in the North, east of the Rocky Mountains, and roost near water in the South. The white pelicans choose to migrate wherever there is water, no matter if it is in the country or the city, he said.
Stouffer, who lives near the lakes, said the white pelicans have been roosting near Stanford Avenue but will change roosts to another location on the lake if they get spooked.
The birds can also be found near the Capital Lakes.
Though brown pelicans dive into the water to fish, white pelicans float together in large groups to churn the water and attract fish. They then dip their bills into the water to gulp the fish.
“They are causing the fish to congregate, and they take up mouthfuls of little fish they collect as a group,” Stouffer said.
Frank Rohwer, professor at the School of Renewable Natural Resources, said pelicans have the most success when they group together.
“Sometimes, one whole end of the flock of pelicans swimming together have their beaks down,” Rohwer said. “They’re chasing the school of fish around.”
The pelicans “group forage” alongside other migratory birds on the lakes, but those species don’t garner as much attention from the community because the white pelicans are “big, charismatic birds,” Rohwer said.
Another difference between the white and brown pelicans is white pelicans soar in huge flocks rather than in lines, Stouffer said.
“If you’re out on the lake and don’t see any birds, look up,” Stouffer said.
Stouffer said he has noticed two distinct flocks of white pelicans, each containing hundreds of members.
Though the birds are tolerant of people on the lake, Stouffer said he advises people to not aggravate the pelicans.
“I hope people have the respect to leave them alone,” he said.
Stouffer said the arrival of the white pelicans is highly anticipated among the University community and bird watchers, and people from out of town are shocked to see such a large number of birds on one lake.
“There were piles of people out there gawking and taking pictures [Thanksgiving morning],” he said.
