Research
At Pelican Science, we are using electronic leg bands (eBand), stable isotope analysis, and roost counts to track brown pelicans and understand migration patterns, movements of individuals, and responses to varying environmental conditions and climate change.
As of 2024, we have deployed 22 eBands and established and maintain a Motus sensor station in Central California.
Working to understand where pelicans go
When brown pelicans on the west coast of North America leave their breeding colonies, they travel between Mexico and Canada to forage on fish. Despite being a large and iconic species, much remains unknown about their survival and movement during the non-breeding season.
Understanding these aspects is critical for developing effective conservation strategies to protect pelicans from threats such as
In 2022, we partnered with Cellular Tracking Technologies (celltracktech.com) to develop a new non-invasive method for tracking pelicans using an electronic band (“eBand”).
The eBand emits a unique signal that is detected by nearby Motus stations.
The Motus tracking system utilizes a network of automated receiving stations to capture signals from radio transmitters attached to animals.
Detections of
In October 2024, we deployed a new automated Motus receiving station at Pillar Point Harbor, Half Moon Bay, California.
Pillar Point Harbor is one of the largest communal brown pelican roosts on the west coast of North America.
This station will detect pelicans that we release with eBands that come to roost and any other animals that pass by wearing a Motus tag.
We are using stable isotope analysis of pelican feathers to learn more about the migratory connectivity between breeding and non-breeding populations. By using the isotopic signatures in feathers as intrinsic geographic markers we hope to learn more about the roles of variable ecological conditions and migratory stress in mass starvation events.