Sudden Surge of Sick and Dying Brown Pelicans along the Coast of California

 June 13, 2018 update: 80 young Brown Pelicans have come into our two California wildlife centers. Concern for Brown Pelicans that live along the coast of Southern California has been mounting as the reported number of sick and dying birds suddenly increased over the past week. Some of these cases, such as the two … Read more

Your Support Is Helping Hungry Pelicans

Dear Friends, With the support of friends like you, this summer International Bird Rescue is rehabilitating and releasing hundreds of young Brown Pelicans back into the wild. It’s a beautiful sight to see, and we are deeply grateful to those of you who reached into your pockets and helped us give these birds the care … Read more

Hungry Pelicans Need a Helping Hand

Dear Friends, International Bird Rescue’s Los Angeles and San Francisco Bay Wildlife Centers are working long hours this summer to care for an influx of young aquatic birds. Most striking are the large numbers of juvenile Brown Pelicans in urgent need of care. As quickly as we can get them back on their feet and … Read more

Fledgling Pelicans Need a Second Chance

Large numbers of fledgling California Brown Pelicans are flocking to International Bird Rescue. In the last few days we have received over 75 young, weak, and starving pelicans between our Los Angeles and San Francisco Bay Centers. These birds are landing in schoolyards, at restaurants and on highways – sometimes even following people – in … Read more

IBRRC takes stock of pelican storm casualties

As of today, IBRRC’s Los Angeles Center has now received a total of 130 non-oiled birds since the beginning of last week’s storms. 107 of these birds were pelicans. In addition, 9 oiled birds from natural seep and 6 oiled birds from the spill in Huntington Beach have been received. The center is shutting its … Read more

“Penguins, Pelicans, and People” talk in Sonoma

Jay Holcomb of IBRRC will share his stories and experiences in a lecture this month that spotlights how humans are affecting two beloved species of birds: Pelicans and Penguins. The talk will be held on Thursday, April 16 at 7:30 PM in Sonoma and is called “Penguins, Pelicans, and People.” The suggested donation for the … Read more

Media steps up reports on Brown Pelican crisis

More news reports are coming out, some with humourous images (right) about the current brown pelican crisis in California. Currently there are 75 pelicans in care at IBRRC’s two bird centers: PELICANS suffering from a mysterious malady are crashing into cars and boats, wandering along roadways and turning up dead by the hundreds across the … Read more

What’s causing fatigued pelicans to drop from sky?

The ongoing discovery of scores of fatigued and disoriented California Brown Pelicans is causing concern among biologists and bird lovers, but yielding few concrete answers to what’s causing their condition. Since late in December, the giant seabirds have been found in frail condition along highways and backyards, miles from their coastal homes. At both IBRRC … Read more

They don’t come with credit cards: Birds in need

Aquatic bird specialists, International Bird Rescue Research Center (IBRRC) is noticing a trend in California Brown Pelicans along the coastline from Monterey to San Diego and they need your help. An unusual number of birds are coming in thin and disoriented – being found on roads and in fields. What is remarkable is that many … Read more

Busch Conservation grant helps pelicans in distress

Thanks to a generous grant from SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund, brown pelicans in distress will get more help in California. The Fund recently issued a grant to IBRRC totaling $5,000 in emergency funding to help the organization purchase food and medical supplies. Since June 2008, hundreds of injured brown pelicans with hook, tackle … Read more