Louisiana weather may be temperamental, but one sure sign of winter’s impending arrival is the annual migration of the American white pelican to the University Lakes. Droves of the pelicans have arrived in the last two weeks, and the white masses dotting the lakes have been popping up on Snapchat stories ever since.
The larger relatives of Louisiana’s native brown pelican migrate in late October and early November to escape freezing temperatures farther north. The pelicans cover a wide swath of territory, and can be found from east of the Rocky Mountains to north through Canada, said conservation biology professor Phil Stouffer.
It’s not unusual to spot groups of 500 or more pelicans during the winter, he said. With mating season past, the pelicans University students and community members see are a diverse mix of pelilcans.
The pelicans are strong fliers and are known to coast in groups as they fly, following meandering paths to take advantage of ephemeral food sources as they migrate, Stouffer said. The birds generally feed on small fish in lakes, slow moving rivers and other wetland areas.
The abundance of feeding areas makes Louisiana an ideal winter home for the pelicans, said Audubon Louisiana avian biologist Katie Percy.
“It’s the cuisine,” Percy said. “It’s what pushes everybody into Louisiana.”
Unlike the brown pelican, which plunge-dives to capture prey, American white pelicans participate in cooperative hunting. The birds will amass as a tight group and churn the water with their wings and bills to herd schools of fish into shallow water. Once the fish are cornered, the pelicans will bob their bills underwater and scoop up the fish, Stouffer said.
While cooperative hunting has been noted in other bird species, it’s quite the sight to witness 500 or more pelicans churning the lake water, chuckling and rattling their bills, he said. Many people stop to photograph the pelicans, and it’s a great way for the community to connect with the local ecosystem, Percy said.
Unlike smaller migratory species, the pelicans can easily be seen without binoculars and are frequently found near shorelines for a more personal viewing experience. The large, charismatic birds are also very social and mobile, making them fun to watch, she said.
Though exciting, it’s also important for observers to remain respectful of the birds. The pelicans are fairly acclimated to the passing cars and pedestrians common to the University Lakes area, but it’s proper etiquette to maintain a respectable distance, Percy said.
It’s never appropriate to touch the birds or chase them, she said. If kayakers and canoers encounter the birds on the water, they shouldn’t harass the birds by following them. The birds may not give a distressed call to cue humans to back off, but they will move away if uncomfortable or frightened.
Following the birds and forcing them to constantly move while attempting to hunt could waste their energy and be a detriment to their health, Percy said.

Gallery • 6 Photos

Christa Moran

American white pelicans relax in the University Lakes on Monday, Nov. 6, 2017 on East Lakeshore Drive.