Care & Wellness:
Zookeepers work hard to train behaviors that enable animals to help with their own care. Examples include voluntarily stepping onto scales for weight, crate training, and shifting onto and off habitat.
Behavior:
- Brown pelicans roost on land at night but float on top of the water during the day.
- During breeding season, the pouch of the male turns bright red to attract potential mates.
- A special gland helps get rid of excess salt, allowing them to drink salt water.
- They can dive from heights of nearly 60 feet (a 6-story building!) into the water to catch fish.
Endangered Status
- Least Concern (LC)
Did you know their throat pouch can hold nearly 3 gallons of water? Learn more about brown pelicans.
