Patient Update: American White Pelican
- Calgary Wildlife
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
In October 2025, our team began to care for an adult American White Pelican that arrived with multiple injuries. The pelican was found in northeast Calgary before it was brought to Calgary Wildlife.
The pelican had a ruptured air sac in the chest, dried blood on the feathers, abrasions on the upper beak, bacterial infections on the undersides of the feet, scabs on the top of the feet, and blood-sucking lice within the mouth and pouch. The pelican was also extremely thin and mildly dehydrated, a sign that it had been struggling to eat due to the lice.
American White Pelicans are one of the largest bird species in North America, with wingspans up to 9 feet. Known as opportunistic piscivores, carnivorous animals with a diet primarily consisting of fish, American White Pelicans feast on small schools of fish like minnows, chubs, or perch. Instead of plunging from the air to catch their prey, American White Pelicans hunt cooperatively in groups by splashing their wings in a circle and herding the schools of fish into shallow water.
With the lice and other injuries preventing the pelican from hunting, it was clear that detailed care was necessary to ensure full rehabilitation and recovery.
Shortly after being admitted, the pelican refused to eat willingly, so staff had to tube-feed him to ensure he got enough calories. However, after some time, the staff were able to feed the pelican different types of fish.
A week after admission, the pelican no longer had any lice in its mouth and was extremely eager to eat. Because of this, the staff were able to put medication directly into the pelican's fish to support the healing process. Upon further examination, veterinary staff noticed a reduction in pouch lice and discharge, but both were still present. The pelican also still had scabbing and a minor fracture on the carpal, which is the equivalent of a human's wrist.
Almost two months after initial admission, staff moved the pelican to a bigger space. This new space had a small pool and sand. Sand serves as a safe resting space for pelicans in the wild, where they rest for several hours at a time. The sand and small pool in the new space replicated the pelican's natural habitat and provided comfort for its feet. Pelicans have delicate webbing on their feet, so sand provides a soft cushion that keeps their feet comfortable.
In February 2026, staff discovered that the pelican had contracted a parasitic infection.
Staff did not know how the pelican contracted the infection. However, many animals, including humans, carry low amounts of parasites in their systems. When the body is ill or injured, parasites use the opportunity to flourish and cause further infection. The hypothesis was that while the pelican's body was too busy fighting other injuries, the parasites took hold and caused further illness.
Staff continued to observe the infection. After a vet check, the next course of action was to keep observing and use two different medications to fight the infection.
After another two months of observation and wound care, the pelican was moved to a large flight pen to ensure all injuries were healed and not affecting flight skills. As cooperative and migratory birds, flight for an American White Pelican is crucial for its survival, as they travel long distances between winter feeding areas and summer mating grounds.
After another vet check with no concerns and demonstrations of strong flight, the pelican was released after 7 months of care. Calgary Wildlife released the pelican at Frank Lake, where a flock of pelicans was already established. The pelican returned to the wild, ready to fly, and immediately joined the flock.
For assistance with injured and orphaned wildlife, please contact the Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Society at 403-214-1312.
