The Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) is the state bird of Louisiana. They nest in the saltwater marshes of the Gulf Coast. They're breeding right now, which makes them more vulnerable than at other times of the year. The National Audubon Society says "Their relatively low reproductive rate means any disruption to their breeding cycle could have serious effects on the population."
The Brown Pelican was removed from the endangered species list last year.
Doodled from a photo by Kevin Cole.
