06/19/2026
We're so grateful for our good neighbors at Seaside Seabird Sanctuary
Our hospital staff and volunteers are currently caring for 92 patients, and we continue receive birds in need each day. We wanted to highlight two of our patients: an adult Brown Pelican and a nestling Brown Pelican chick. The chick was found down on the ground here at our Sanctuary, and we unfortunately determined that the risk to the other nests nearby was too great for us to renest. When our hospital does admit nestling Brown Pelicans, it is critical for us to find a foster adult to ensure that they do not become habituated to humans. Thankfully for our chick, this adult male pelican who we have been treating for the last few weeks for severe hook and line trauma showed immediate interest in the chick after hearing its calls. We have had great success in the past pairing up pelican chicks with adults during breeding season, and the males actually tend to accept chicks more readily. We will keep these two together as they continue to progress in our care!
Fostering is an important tool for wildlife rehabilitators as it helps to minimize our interactions with young birds, and it gives them a much better chance at a successful release. Not all species will accept chicks that are not their own, and it is important to take precautions when introducing potential fosters to prevent potential harm or injury. Staying in the wild with their natural parents is always the best case scenario, and we always try to reunite baby birds when possible!
