Tommy King 

Research Wildlife Biologist

USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services 

National Wildlife Research Center

Starkville, Mississippi

Human-Wildlife Conflicts

American white pelicans (Pelecanus 

erythrorhynchos, Figure 1) threaten 

aquaculture producers by direct predation 

and the spread of disease. They are also 

considered competition and a nuisance by 

some sports fishermen. Pelicans can also 

damage pond levees and crops, such as 

rice, by trampling the vegetation and 

depositing guano. A combination of wildlife 

damage management techniques is often 

necessary to reduce pelican damage to 

these resources.

Aquaculture

Prior to the winter of 1992, American white 

pelican depredations at catfish facilities in 

the Delta regions of Arkansas and 

Mississippi were limited, and birds were 

easily dispersed from the area. Since 

1992, however, pelicans have become 

more persistent in their foraging efforts 

and more difficult to disperse. Their 

increased persistence requires an equally 

persistent response to limit their damage. 

Around-the-clock harassment patrols may 

be necessary especially where pelicans 

forage at night. The most effective 

technique involves harassing the birds at 

their loafing sites near catfish farms. This 

often causes them to abandon the site, 

thus reducing or eliminating predation at 

nearby facilities. 

The impact of direct pelican predation on 

catfish farms can be substantial. For 

Wildlife Damage Management 

Technical Series

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service

Wildlife Services

May 2019 American

White Pelicans

Figure 1. American White Pelican (Pelecanus 

erythrorhynchos)

Quick Links

Human-Wildlife Conflicts 1

Damage Identification 2

Management Methods 2

Economics 6

Species Overview 7

Legal Status 11

Glossary & Key Words 12

Resources 13 

Appendix 14 
example, assuming that pelicans foraging in a catfish pond 

ate only catfish averaging 10.2 inches, each bird would 

require 11 catfish to meet its energetic requirement of 2 

pounds per day. This consumption rate translates into 

2,750 catfish consumed per day by an average-sized flock 

of 250 pelicans. If these fish reached a harvestable size of 

1.5 pounds and were valued at $0.70 per pound, catfish 

farmers could lose approximately $2,900 per day from 

pelican foraging. Actual depredation losses depend on 

pelican abundance at ponds, the size and number of 

catfish eaten, and the duration of foraging at catfish 

ponds. 

Pelicans are also a host of commercial catfish parasites, 

especially the digenetic trematode Bolbophorus

damnificus. This trematode causes substantial economic 

losses to aquaculture producers in Louisiana, northwest 

Mississippi, and southeast Arkansas. Whole ponds of 

catfish have died from trematode infections, and little can 

be done to treat these infections. Even mild infections of B. 

damnificus can result in a 60 percent or more reduction in 

profits. A 2004 analysis of the economic impact of 

trematode infections to commercially-raised catfish in 

Mississippi estimated economic losses of $27.1 million per 

year.

Landscapes and Crops

American white pelicans can damage pond levees and 

recently planted crops, such as rice, by trampling the 

vegetation and depositing guano, although the extent of 

these losses is not known. 

Nuisance

Pelicans are perceived as nuisance wildlife by 

aquaculturists and sports fishermen because of their 

predation of farmed fish or sport fish prized by anglers.

Human Health and Safety

Pelicans are not known to transmit any significant diseases 

to people. However, they can threaten human safety when 

they collide with aircraft. 

Damage Identification

The main ways to determine if pelicans have foraged on 

aquaculture ponds include direct observations of pelicans 

on ponds, fish losses at harvest, and the presence of B. 

damnificus. Direct observations of pelican predation may 

not always be possible because pelicans will forage at 

night, especially on aquaculture facilities with active 

daytime harassment programs. 

Other signs of pelican presence include trampled 

vegetation and crops, large webbed tracks, and guanostained (whitewashed) landscapes. 

Management Methods

No single management method to prevent pelican conflicts 

works all the time or in all settings. Methods should be 

integrated so that one enhances the effect of another. For 

example, frightening devices often are more effective when 

done in conjunction with habitat modification (e.g., removal 

of loafing habitat) to make a site less attractive to pelicans. 

American white pelicans typically migrate northward to 

their breeding grounds during spring and return to the 

Figure 2. Pelicans on catfish farm.

Page 2 WDM Technical Series─Pelicans
southeast U.S. during late fall. However, in recent years 

flocks of about 500 pelicans frequently have been seen in 

southeast aquaculture areas throughout the summer. 

These birds may represent non-breeding pelicans. Most 

wintering pelicans remain in the southeastern U.S. from 

late fall through mid-spring. Pelicans foraging on 

aquaculture facilities during spring migration seem to be 

more tenacious foragers and more difficult to disperse 

from an area. Intensive, integrated management methods 

must be used. 

Habitat Modification

Pelicans can be encouraged to abandon a loafing site if 

water is removed (e.g., drain flooded fields). Other habitat 

modifications may include eliminating open wetland sites 

by planting perennial woody vegetation. 

Exclusion

Exclusion involves physically blocking a bird’s access to a 

site and is an important part of pelican damage 

management. Exclusion may prevent pelican predation on 

fish and the spread of disease. Selection of a barrier 

system depends on the size of the facility and whether the 

barrier interferes with other operations. Also consider 

whether it can be easily damaged in severe weather or if it 

impacts the aesthetics of the area. 

Take care to construct barriers so they do not become a 

hazard to non-target birds, especially threatened and 

endangered species. The barrier material should be visible 

to birds to minimize accidental entrapment and/or injury. 

Avoid using loosely hung, small mesh netting, such as mist 

netting, as it will cause excessive bird losses.

Although often cost prohibitive, near total exclusion can 

eliminate up to 90 percent of pelican access to individual 

ponds. One aquaculture producer in southern Mississippi 

used a combination of overhead grid wires (Figure 3), 

perimeter electric fencing, and harassment to exclude 

about 90 percent of brown pelicans (Pelecanus 

occidentalis) from landing or entering his fish ponds. The 

producer reported a cost of nearly $3 million to set up the 

devices at five, 6-acre ponds. 

In general, enclosing ponds and raceways to exclude all 

fish-eating birds requires 1- to 2-inch mesh netting secured 

to frames or supported by overhead wires. In addition, 

gates and other openings must be covered. In areas with 

harsh winter conditions, nets must have an adequate 

framework or support cables to prevent ice or snow 

accumulation from ripping the netting. 

Some hatchery operators use mesh panels placed on the 

raceway walls above the water to effectively exclude birds. 

Secure small mesh wire or net less than 1 inch to wood or 

pipe frames to prevent feeding through the panel. Design 

panels to accommodate demand or automatic feeders and 

feed blowers that distribute food through mesh-covered 

raceways. Since panels may interfere with feeding, 

cleaning, or harvesting operations, they may be more 

appropriate for seasonal or temporary use.

All exclusion structures must be strong enough to prevent 

the weight of large birds and their activities from making 

the net sag to within feeding distance of the water. 

Construct all exclusion structures to allow use of fish 

maintenance equipment and, if necessary, to withstand 

wind and the accumulation of snow and ice. Non-rigid 

exclusion structures, such as suspended netting, may need 

lines, pulleys, and counterweights to facilitate lifting and 

lowering during adverse conditions or maintenance. 

U.S. Department of Agriculture Page 3

Figure 3. Example of grid wires at a fish farm.
Since complete exclusion may not always be practical, 

other barrier techniques may help to limit pelican access to 

ponds with tradeoffs. For instance, nets suspended over 

catfish farm levees can prevent pelican depredation, but 

may be impractical as most catfish farm levees are not 

wide enough to accommodate both the support structures 

for nets and vehicle access. Plastic and wire grids over 

catfish ponds can deter pelican flocks from landing and 

taking off, but often do not exclude individual birds. Some 

success with simple parallel overhead wires spaced on 26-

foot centers has been reported, but in other studies, birds 

simply landed on the levees and walked under the wires 

into the ponds. 

Frightening Devices

Frightening devices modify behavior and discourage birds 

from feeding, roosting or gathering. Pelicans forage mainly 

during early morning and late afternoon and loaf during 

mid-day. However, pelicans quickly adapt to standardized 

harassment schedules. American white pelicans are 

typically diurnal foragers, but have been known to forage at 

night, especially in areas with daytime harassment. For 

instance, pelicans have been seen leaving a loafing site to 

time their arrival and departure when harassment 

personnel are on lunch breaks. Alternating harassment 

timing and methods typically is most effective.

Visual

In south Louisiana, bright spotlights have been used 

successfully to disperse foraging pelicans from catfish 

ponds at night. 

Audio-visual

Pyrotechnics can be effective in dispersing pelicans from 

foraging and loafing sites (Figure 4). Possession and use of 

pyrotechnics may require a permit from the local, county, 

and/or state fire marshal. Harassment by personnel on 

foot, all-terrain vehicles (ATV), boats, or other vehicles 

combined with pyrotechnics can be effective. Lethal 

reinforcement is often necessary when pelicans become 

habituated to other techniques, such as pyrotechnics and 

propane canons. As pelicans begin to ignore harassment 

techniques, shooting one or two pelicans often will cause 

the entire flock to leave the area. 

Egg Oiling/Addling and Nest Destruction

Pelicans are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act 

(MBTA). Removal of nests, egg oiling or addling, and any 

human activity in nesting colonies during the breeding 

season are regulated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

(USFWS) and state/provincial agencies. 

Repellents

No repellents are currently registered for use with pelicans.

Shooting

In the U.S. and Canada, American white pelicans are 

protected by the MBTA. As authorized by the MBTA, the 

USFWS issues permits to qualified applicants for the take 

of depredating birds. Local, state and federal regulations in 

regards to firearms and the take of pelicans must be 

reviewed and followed. See the section on Legal Status.

As with all firearms, make sure it is safe to discharge a 

firearm in a particular area. Because American white 

pelicans are large birds, accuracy is essential to ensure 

immediate death. Dispatch wounded birds quickly. Use a 

shotgun, 12-gauge or larger, with T-shot or larger 

Page 4 WDM Technical Series─Pelicans

Figure 4. Pyrotechnics are used to disperse foraging pelicans.
ammunition. Use a centerfire rifle of .22-cal or larger (e.g. 

.223, .22-250) for shooting individual birds. Shot birds 

should be disposed of as soon as possible in accordance 

with permit instructions. Leaving bird carcasses on a 

facility can attract predators, may be illegal, and generally 

is viewed as poor management. 

Toxicants

No toxicants are currently registered for use with pelicans.

Trapping

Foothold Traps

Modified padded foothold traps, such as the Victor No. 3 

Softcatch, are effective in capturing pelicans and other 

wading birds (Figure 5). Replace the factory springs with 

the springs of the weaker Victor No. 1.5 Softcatch to lessen 

the initial impact of the closing jaws on the pelican’s leg. In 

addition, replace the factory chain with an 8-inch length of 

0.15-inch aircraft cable and a 12-inch elastic shock-cord to 

minimize injury to captured birds. Attach additional box 

and stake swivels to increase the flexibility of the swiveling 

system.

Set these modified foothold traps in areas of high bird 

densities—typically flooded fields, pond levees, or loafing 

sites near colonies. Traps set in the water should be 

completely submerged, but in water shallow (3-6 inches) 

enough that birds could step into them. Slowly approach 

potential capture sites, flush the birds, and set traps 10 to 

13 feet apart along transects. Drive trap stakes flush with 

the substrate, and conceal the elastic shock cords and 

swivels by pushing them into the mud or covering them 

with sediment. On land, set traps within 3 feet of the 

water's edge. Traps on levees can be set using a basic dirthole set similar to that used for coyotes. Once set, traps 

should be monitored constantly. Captured animals should 

be removed from traps immediately. When properly used, 

these modified traps are safe and humane for capturing 

pelicans. 

Each modified trap currently costs about USD $30. 

Rocket Nets

A portable rocket net can be modified by building a box out 

of 0.12-inch aircraft aluminum (Figure 6). The box, net, and 

rockets can be set in water 0.8 to 1.6 inches deep with the 

opened end of the box angled out of the water. This system 

can be used on an exposed mud flat, pond levee, or other 

loafing site. Fold the net into the box prior to placing it at 

the capture site. Large nets (60 x 40 feet or 50 x 30 feet) 

with 2 to 4 rockets can be used depending on the box 

design. The net, stakes, and rockets can be stored in the 

box and the entire device easily transported by two people 

or by an ATV. The box, rockets, charges, and net currently 

cost about $2,250. 

As with other fish-eating birds, American white pelicans are 

attracted to bodies of water containing sick or dying prey. 

However, pelicans wintering in the southeast U.S. are wary 

of people; thus, developing and maintaining a bait site to 

attract birds to traps has proven very difficult.

The use of foothold traps and/or rocket nets requires 

permits from the USFWS and state wildlife agencies. The 

use and storage of rocket net charges may be controlled by 

the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 

U.S. Department of Transportation, and U.S. Bureau of 

Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Page 5

Figure 5. A modified padded foothold trap for use with pelicans.
Page 6 WDM Technical Series─Pelicans

Figure 6. Portable rocket net system.

Handling

Be careful when approaching live pelicans. Pelicans are 

large birds and have sharp edges along their upper bill. 

One of the pelican’s defense mechanisms is to snap or 

bite. The edges of the bill can cause knife-like cuts. Grab a 

live pelican first by its bill (both upper and lower) using one 

hand and do not allow the bill to move in your hand. 

Relocation

Relocation is the movement of an animal from one location 

in its home range to another location within the same 

home range for the purpose of resolving a human-wildlife 

conflict. Only two known attempts have been made to 

relocate pelicans from a damage site. Both attempts had 

good short-term success, but their long-term usefulness is 

not known. Pelicans captured and relocated 12 miles from 

one aquaculture facility did not return to the facility for at 

least 3 weeks. 

Euthanasia

Euthanasia recommendations are intended to serve as 

guidelines, and they require the use of professional 

judgment for specific situations. Ultimately, it is the 

responsibility of those carrying out euthanasia to assure 

that it is done in the most humane manner possible. 

Shooting and chemicals (i.e., carbon dioxide gas, lethal 

injections) are approved methods of euthanasia for large 

birds, such as pelicans. 

Disposal

Take of migratory birds is regulated by the Migratory Bird 

Treaty Act, and instructions for disposition of carcasses are 

usually provided under USFWS permit conditions. 

Economics

Pelicans have the potential to cause extensive economic 

losses at catfish ponds. If allowed to land on catfish ponds, 

they immediately begin to forage. Therefore, make every 

(legal) effort to prevent flocks from landing. Lack of 

vigilance and harassment during a mid-day break or at 

night may allow substantial damage to take place despite 

other management efforts.

Although the costs of pelican damage management have 

not been thoroughly assessed, during November 1994 to 

April 1995, one catfish farmer in southern Louisiana 

estimated his costs for pyrotechnics, ammunition, and 

labor for pelican harassment to be $129,000 with an 

additional $13,000 spent for extra road and vehicle 

maintenance. Despite these expenditures, this farmer lost 

about $31,000 in fish to American white pelican predation. 

Without persistent harassment efforts, those losses would 

have been much higher. Losses due to disease 

transmission can be much more devastating to producers. 

Losses from B. damnificus to Mississippi catfish producers 

have been estimated at $45 million per year.
Species Overview

Identification

The American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) is 

one of two pelican species native to North America. The 

other, known as the brown pelican (P. occidentalis, Figure 

7) forages in coastal aquaculture settings, but has not 

been reported foraging at inland aquaculture facilities. This 

publication focuses on the American white pelican and 

damage management associated with inlands aquaculture 

resources.

Physical Description

American white pelicans are mostly white with black 

primary and secondary feathers. Their bills and legs vary in 

color with age. Young pelicans have pale, gray-pink bills 

and legs while adults have yellow to orange-red bills and 

legs (Figure 8). During the breeding season, adult pelicans 

develop a horny knob on the culmen (bill) and pale 

yellowish feathers on the chest and upper wing. When 

sleeping or standing (loafing), pelicans appear to have 

squat bodies with long necks. 

The American white pelican has a large gular (throat) 

pouch to capture and manipulate prey, a long bill with 

sharp edges and a small hook (or nail) at the tip. It also 

has webbed feet and is a strong swimmer. American white 

pelicans have the widest wing span of any bird in North 

America (96 to 114 inches). In flight, pelicans appear 

graceful and soaring. Males are typically heavier than 

females, averaging 14.3 and 11.2 pounds, respectively. 

The weight range for males is 11 to 18 pounds. The weight 

range for females is 9.3 to 13.7 pounds.

Range

The continental divide separates American white pelicans 

into two geographically distinct populations. The eastern 

population migrates primarily through the Great Plains and 

along the Mississippi River and winters in the lower 

Mississippi River Valley and along the Gulf Coast. The 

western population migrates along the Pacific coast and 

winters along the coast of southern California and western 

Mexico.

The breeding range of the American white pelican extends 

from south-central British Columbia, Alberta, 

Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and southwestern Ontario 

southward to Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, South 

Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, 

California, and Oregon (Figure 9). One viable American 

white pelican colony of approximately 400 exists near 

Corpus Christi, Texas in the Laguna Madre. 

U.S. Department of Agriculture Page 7

Figure 8. Young (left) and adult (breeding) American white pelicans

Figure 7. Brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)
Voice and Sounds

Adults are silent except for low, short grunts typically given 

during aggressive, defensive or sexual interactions with 

other pelicans. Young pelicans (prior to fledging and at the 

colony) are more vocal with loud squawks and foodbegging calls. Non-vocal sounds include wings splashing 

water when bathing or herding prey, and popping of the bill 

during combative encounters.

Tracks and Signs

Pelicans have large webbed feet, 61⁄2 to 71⁄2 inches long 

and 41⁄4 to 53⁄8 inches wide that trample vegetation down 

to the soil in heavily trafficked areas. Loafing sites have 

large quantities of white-colored excrement and large 

feathers. Loafing sites vary in size depending on the 

number of birds present.

Reproduction

Pelicans are believed to breed at three years of age. The 

breeding period typically is mid-April through midPage 8 WDM Technical Series─Pelicans

Figure 9. Range of American white pelicans.
September. Nest building takes 3 to 5 days after the onset 

of courting. Egg laying begins about 4 to 5 days after nest 

site selection, with an interval of 2 days between eggs. 

They have one clutch of 2 eggs per year. Smaller clutches 

often are due to egg loss from predation. Only one young 

typically survives to fledging, due to asynchronous hatching 

and siblicide (i.e., one young bird kills the other). Average 

documented nest success ranges from 0.34 to 0.89 young 

fledged per nest. It is not known if pelicans re-nest 

following the loss of a clutch early in the season. Eggs 

hatch approximately 30 days after being laid and the 

chicks fledge approximately 10 weeks later. Both sexes 

attend the nest and young. 

American white pelicans are ground nesters and prefer 

remote, isolated islands for colony sites. These breeding 

sites vary from nearly barren to densely vegetated, but are 

usually near water. Nests are typically shallow depressions 

on the ground with a small raised edge made from the 

adult raking gravel, soil, or vegetation with its bill (Figure 

10). 

Mortality

Approximately 41 percent of fledged American pelicans die 

in their first year, 16 percent during their second year, and 

21 percent thereafter. Main causes of mortality of prefledged young are starvation, severe weather events (hail, 

lightning, extended periods of cold wet conditions), and 

disease. Pelicans greater than 20 years old have been 

documented through the recovery of bird bands. Adult 

mortality is mainly due to shooting, pesticides and other 

environmental contaminants, and habitat degradation. 

Population Status

A nest count in 2013 found approximately 100,000 nests 

at more than 55 colonies in the U.S. and Canada. 

Therefore, a conservative estimate of the number of adult 

(breeding age) American white pelicans is 200,000 birds. 

The numbers of both adults and colonies appear to be 

increasing. American white pelicans can be common to 

unusual throughout their range. They occur in large 

numbers in or near their breeding colonies (200 to 30,000 

individuals) and at loafing sites in their wintering areas (50 

to 3,500 individuals per loafing group).

Habitat

Pelicans breed and spend the summer months on remote 

islands of freshwater lakes and forage in lakes, rivers, 

marshes, and aquaculture facilities year round. Pelican 

mean home range sizes vary from 110 to 2,927 square 

miles in the summer and from 115 to 569 square miles in 

the winter.

During migration, pelicans typically fly along river corridors 

and valleys, but do cross deserts and mountains. Pelicans 

often stop at water bodies that provide forage and loafing 

sites. Pelicans readily take advantage of aquaculture sites 

during migration and on their wintering grounds. While on 

their wintering grounds, pelicans use sand bars, mud flats, 

flooded agriculture fields, and abandoned fish ponds as 

loafing sites. 

Behavior

American white pelicans forage during both the day and 

the night. However, pelicans in southern Louisiana and 

northwest Mississippi forage primarily during the morning 

and afternoon. Pelicans feed singly, in small groups (2 to 

25 birds), or in large groups of more than 25 birds. When 

foraging singly or in small groups, pelicans usually dip their 

U.S. Department of Agriculture Page 9

Figure 10. Typical shallow depression used by American white pelicans for 

nesting.
bills to search for food as they swim. When cooperatively 

foraging, pelicans herd their prey toward shallow water by 

swimming side by side and synchronously dipping their 

bills. Pelicans have been known to fly up to 190 miles from 

a breeding colony to a feeding site and prefer to forage in 

shallow water. Catfish ponds provide a nearly perfect 

foraging environment for pelicans, due to the relatively 

shallow pond depth (approximately 5 feet) and high fish 

stocking densities. In one study conducted in southern 

Louisiana and northwest Mississippi, researchers found 

that pelicans at catfish ponds spent about 4 percent of 

their day foraging and 96 percent loafing, whereas 

pelicans foraging in other habitats (crawfish ponds, rivers, 

lakes, and bayous) spent about 28 percent of their day 

foraging and 72 percent loafing. 

American White Pelicans are cooperative foragers (Figure 

11). They often forage in large groups using synchronized 

movements to herd and capture prey (e.g., swim in a line 

and synchronously dip their bills). Pelicans use air 

temperature thermals during flight to reduce their energy 

expenditure. Birds flap and circle to gain altitude in a 

thermal (Figure 12). Then they release from the thermal 

and glide long distances, repeating the process until they 

arrive at their destination. 

Pelicans generally arrive at their breeding colonies during 

April to May and remain through early to mid-September. 

Fall migration usually takes place from mid-September 

through mid-November. Pelicans occupy their wintering 

areas from mid-November through the end of February. 

Spring migration typically takes place March to April. 

Food Habits

Pelicans prefer to forage in shallow water (1 to 9.8 feet) in 

open areas of marshes, lakes, rivers, ponds, but are also 

known to forage in deeper water to take advantage of prey 

driven to shallower depths by diving birds, such as doublecrested cormorants. Pelicans are tip-up foragers; they do 

not submerge or dive. A pelican cannot forage deeper than 

it can extend its neck, head, and bill. A typical pelican can 

easily reach to 3.3 feet below the surface of the water.

Pelicans typically feed on fish, crawfish, and amphibians, 

ranging in size from 1.6 to 24.8 inches. To forage, a 

pelican dips its bill into the water and scoops prey into its 

gular pouch, then raises its bill above its head to swallow. 

Pelicans prefer to forage for schooling prey but will forage 

for dispersed prey. Pelicans forage twice a day, eating an 

average of 1.2 pounds per foraging trip. Researchers, 

however, have recorded a pelican eating as much as 6.8 

pounds in a single foraging event. 

Page 10 WDM Technical Series─Pelicans

Figure 11. Foraging pelicans. Figure 12. Pelicans riding thermals.
Legal Status

In the U.S. and Canada, American white pelicans are 

protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). The 

MBTA makes it illegal for anyone to take, possess, import, 

export, transport, sell, purchase, barter, or offer for sale, 

purchase, or barter, any migratory bird, or the parts, nests, 

or eggs of such a bird except under the terms of a valid 

permit issued pursuant to federal regulations.

As authorized by the MBTA, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service (USFWS) issues permits to qualified applicants for 

the take of depredating birds. The Department of Interior, 

USFWS, Division of Migratory Bird Management develops 

migratory bird permit policy, and the permits themselves 

are issued by USFWS’ Regional Bird Permit Offices. 

The USDA-APHIS Wildlife Services (WS) program 

recommends that managers of aquaculture facilities take 

the following steps to resolve damage by migratory birds. 

(1) Contact the appropriate wildlife biologist employed by 

WS in your region of the state. The state office of the WS 

program may provide assistance. 

(2) The wildlife biologist will evaluate your complaint and, if 

necessary, conduct a site inspection to identify the 

migratory species of concern, estimate the number of 

migratory birds, estimate damage, and document other 

information. 

(3) The wildlife biologist will recommend nonlethal wildlife 

damage management techniques. If existing nonlethal 

methods are not effective, the wildlife biologist may 

recommend lethal control and provide information on the 

maximum number of birds that may be killed. The biologist 

will attach this information to a completed USFWS Federal 

Fish and Wildlife License/Permit Application or 

Depredation Permit (Form 3-200) and mail it to the Special 

Agent in Charge in the appropriate USFWS Regional Office. 

The client pays a fee (currently $100) to cover 

administrative costs. The wildlife biologist will provide 

details, including the appropriate addresses. 

(4) A self-imposed turnaround time for the issuance or 

rejection of depredation (kill) permits by the USFWS is 

approximately one week, providing the permit application 

is complete and no unusual legal or environmental issues 

are involved. 

Note: Actions taken against a depredating bird species to 

protect a crop vary from state to state and region to region. 

In recent years, as the number of aquaculture-related bird 

depredation complaints have risen, USFWS has increased 

legal action against individuals violating the MBTA. Due to 

the severe legal consequences of violating the MBTA, 

individuals should be aware of all these factors and follow 

the proper permit process before taking action against 

depredating species. 

U.S. Department of Agriculture Page 11
Page 12 WDM Technical Series─Pelicans

Acknowledgements

Figure 1. Photo by Tommy King, USDA-Wildlife Services 

Figure 2. Photo by Tommy King, USDA-Wildlife Services 

Figure 3. Photo by Tommy King, USDA-Wildlife Services 

Figure 4. Photo by Paul Gorenzel, University of California-Davis 

Figure 5. Photo by Tommy King, USDA-Wildlife Services 

Figure 6. Photo by Tommy King, USDA-Wildlife Services 

Figure 7. Photo by David Pereksta, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Figure 8. Photos by Tommy King, USDA-Wildlife Services 

Figure 9. Map by The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Figure 10. Photo by Tommy King, USDA-Wildlife Services 

Figure 11. Photo by Tom Koerner, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Figure 12. Photo by Tommy King, USDA-Wildlife Services 

Disclaimer

Wildlife can threaten the health and safety of you and 

others in the area. Use of damage prevention and control 

methods also may pose risks to humans, pets, livestock, 

other non-target animals, and the environment. Be aware 

of the risks and take steps to reduce or eliminate those 

risks. 

Some methods mentioned in this document may not be 

legal, permitted, or appropriate in your area. Read and 

follow all pesticide label recommendations and local 

requirements. Check with personnel from your state 

wildlife agency and local officials to determine if methods 

are acceptable and allowed. 

Mention of any products, trademarks, or brand names 

does not constitute endorsement, nor does omission 

constitute criticism. 

Keywords

American white pelican, Aquaculture, Control, Depredation, 

Disease, Exclusion, Harassment, Life history, Pelecanus 

erythrorhynchos

Citation

King, T. 2019. Pelicans. Wildlife Damage Management 

Technical Series. USDA, APHIS, WS National Wildlife 

Research Center. Fort Collins, Colorado. 14p.

Glossary

Asynchronous Hatching: When the eggs in a clutch hatch 

over several days instead of all at once. 

Colonial Nesting: A large group of nesting birds that may be 

made up of one or two species all nesting within close 

proximity of one another. 

Loafing Site: A place were birds rest, often preening 

themselves. 

Pyrotechnics: Flares or cartridges fired from a gun or 

launcher that produce a loud blast or scream accompanied 

by smoke and a flash of light. 

Roost: Location where birds rest or sleep either during the 

day or at night. 
U.S. Department of Agriculture Page 13

Resources

Glahn, J.F. and D.T. King. 2004. Bird Depredation. In Biology and Culture of Channel Catfish. Eds. Craig Tucker and John 

Hargreaves. Elsiver, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Johnsgard, P.A. 1993. Cormorants, Darters, and Pelicans of the World. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C., 

USA. 

King, D.T., J.D. Paulson, D.J. LeBlanc, and K. Bruce. 1998. Two capture techniques for American white pelicans and 

great blue herons. Colonial Waterbirds 21:258-260.

King, D.T. 2005. Interactions between American white pelicans and commercial aquaculture in the southeastern United 

States: an overview. Waterbirds 28 (Special Publication) 1: 83-86.

Knopf, F.L. and R.M. Evans. 2004. American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos), The Birds of North America 

Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online: http://

bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/057 doi:10.2173/bna.57.

Mott, D.F. and F.L. Boyd. 1995. A review of techniques for preventing cormorant depredations at aquaculture facilities in 

the southeastern United States. Colonial Waterbirds 18 (Special Publication 1):176-180.
Appendix 

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Type of Control 

 

Available Management Options 

Egg and Nest  Oiling of eggs

 Addling or puncturing eggs

 Removing nests and eggs

Exclusion  Overhead wires

 Electric fencing 

 Netting

Frightening 

Devices

 Propane cannons, pyrotechnics, and other noise making devices

 Bright spotlights 

 Harassment by people on foot, all-terrain vehicles, boats or other vehicles

Habitat 

Modification

 Drain water from flooded fields that serve as loafing sites

 Plant perennial woody vegetation to eliminate open wetland sites

Repellents None available 

Shooting Centerfire rifles or 12-gauge shotguns using non-toxic T-shot or BBs; Requires proper federal and state 

permits

Toxicants None available

Trapping Modified padded-jaw foot-hold traps and rocket nets; Requires proper federal and state permits

Damage Management Methods for American White Pelicans