Fun Fact Friday with Special Collections

Today we are celebrating our state bird, the brown pelican, who also appears on our flag.

It was Oct. 13, 1970, when the brown pelican was placed on the Endangered Species List. It was determined that widespread pesticide contamination was the culprit. Like many large birds, DDT buildup in the bodies of the birds led to thin-shelled eggs that were easily broken during incubation. Once DDT was banned, the birds began to see an increase in numbers and was removed from the Endangered Species List on Nov. 11, 2009.

More information about the brown pelican can be found in:

• Brown Pelican: (Pelecanus occidentalis) | I 49.2:P 36 (found in Government Documents Collection)
• The Return of the Brown Pelican, QL696 | P47 G87 1983
• Habitat Degradation, Hurricane, and Oil Spill Effects on Brown Pelican Ecology and Conservation | LD3091.L666 2012 Walt
• Official Louisiana Bird; The Brown Pelican | QH105. L8 A2 No. 8

View more photos on the Special Collections Facebook Page.

Fun Fact Friday is brought to you by Special Collections.

Follow @ULSpecColl