CALIFORNIA BROWN PELICAN

CALIFORNIA BROWN PELICAN (Pelecanus californicus)
Pelicans atop Arch Rock, Anacapa Island 1982


CALIFORNIA BROWN PELICAN (Pelecanus californicus) are a very common sea bird of the west coast.


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In the late 1960s and early 1970s, a critical Pelican population crash occurred which endangered its future success. With their population depleted first to provide feathers for women’s hats in the 1890s, then by fishermen who feared them as competitors, then by DDT, these graceful fliers, known for their dive-bombing fishing tactics, had been reduced to 748 known nesting sites by the time they were awarded federal protection in 1970.

High levels of DDT concentrated in the birds' eggs which resulted in thin shells which were then crushed by the weight of the parent bird during nesting. In 1970 in a law that predated the Endangered Species Act, the U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service listed the Brown Pelican as endangered—in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. In 1970 there were about 500 nesting pairs on on both West Anacapa Island and on Santa Barbara Island, where the birds nest without danger of disturbance. The Endangered Species Act was passed in 1973 and it included Brown Pelicans on its list. With the Environmental Protection Agency’s ban of DDT in 1972, an immediate response was seen which enabled the pelicans to make a come back. The number of nesting sites increased to more than 11,600 by 2009, when the species was declared recovered under the Endangered Species Act.

In 2004 there were an estimated 8000 nesting pairs on Anacapa Island. In 2006 there were an estimated 4000 nesting pairs on Santa Barbara Island. Pelicans are very long-lived, and fisherman Sebastian Larco (1870-1959) is reported to have had his pet pelican, Jim, for 47 years!


Larco's Pelican


In the News~

“...A white pelican has for years been the pet of a fisherman's family at Santa Barbara. So remarkable is he for his intelligence that tourists go to see and photograph "Larco's pelican" as one of the sights of the city. This one was captured inland, white pelicans preferring fresh water to salt... Jim is a sociable fellow, and the fondles friends and strangers alike, when the latter will permit it, by taking their arm, hand or leg repeatedly between his mandibles. His grip is not strong, but there is a strong, sharp hook at the end of the beak that inspires caution... ”


1886: “The only fisherman in the town was an Italian by the name of Larco, a jolly ruddy faced peasant from the old country who lived at the foot of State Street and plied his trade there. The most important figure on his premises was that of the pelican. For that pelican was a sure fore-teller of storms or sunny skies. If he were at home, sunning himself, then we knew storms were brewing in the offing; but during months at a time, he disappeared entirely, while bright skies lasted. My only chance to speak Italian was with this fisherman and his family, and it was not the best Italian at that.” Elizabeth Eaton Burton My Santa Barbara Scrap Book, [unpublished manuscript].


March 11, 1895 [LAT/SB]: “A beautiful tame pelican, captured by the Larcos and on exhibition at their fish depot on Lower State Street, is one of the novel sights of the day.”


September 1, 1895 [LAT/SB]: “The tame pelican belonging to the Larcos, which has so long been a unique and interesting feature of life in the lower portion of the city, is standing around with a ‘listen-to-my-tale-of-woe’ look, and refuses to play ball or engage in its customary frolics with the children. The Larco cow stepped on its foot, and until it recovers from the indisposition caused by this circumstance it will not slide down the cellar door anymore.”


November 26, 1899 [LAT]: “A San Diego paper reports that quite an industry has sprung up there in pelicans, a small schooner having recently brought 1800 of the birds from the lower coasts to be used in the millinery business. There are said to be millions of these birds along the coast of Lower California, and as they devour an immense quantity of fish, they can easily be dispensed with and sacrificed to the Goddess of Fashion.”


December 3, 1899 [LAT/SB]: “Captain Larco’s pelican returned after wandering through the air for five months. Everybody knows the big white pelican at Captain Larco’s, near the beach, and nearly every child in town has watched it greedily eat the juicy smelt as they were thrown into its expansive pouch, and have seen him angrily chase away with flapping wings, the dogs that came to dispute his ownership of the property. The white pelican has long been one of the attractions of the waterfront, and he is a town pet. Until five months ago the bird had a companion, a grey pelican, that shared the smelt and affections of the youngsters, and joined in the dog wars; but perhaps Jack became a little jealous or maybe he dreamed of his old life on the wing, for one fine June morning he was missing. As the days went by he was given up for lost. Three months later, when Captain Larco was at a fish camp down near Hueneme, he saw a large flock of grey pelicans approaching, and when they were flying by he called ‘Jack.’ It was a foreign hope, but one of the birds left the flock and lighted near the captain. It ate some fish from his hand, and then noticing that his fellow-pelicans were leaving him, he spread his wings and flew away to join them. It was jack, no doubt. Yesterday the Larcos noticed a speck in the sky directly above the yard, at a seemingly great height, and as the speck grew it took the form of a pelican, and as the pelican drew nearer it took the form of Jack, and the long-lost wandered was home again. The captain says that probably Jack found fishing poor since the rains, and has come home to spend the winter, for he knows he will get enough to eat at Captain Larco’s. Perhaps this is intelligence; perhaps it is just instinct. But anyway, Jack is at home to his friends.”


May 5, 1900 [SBMP]: “The big gray pelican, who has made his home at Captain Larco’s for the past three years, returned Thursday evening after one of his sojourns about the channel for a month or more. When his pelicanship made his appearance at the kitchen door begging in his peculiar way for supper, Captain Larco remarked that there was a storm coming, and that the pelican had returned to his old roost to escape it. The usual antics of the elements since his return has proved the old gray pelican a most reliable weather prophet.”


ANACAPA ISLAND
ISLAND COLLECTOR INSTITUTION DATE NUMBER SPECIMEN  
Anacapa Island O. W. Howard MCZ April 15, 1906 MCZ-304849 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Birds
Anacapa Island O. W. Howard MCZ April 15, 1906 MCZ-304850 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Birds
Anacapa Island J. S. Appleton HSU June 5, 1906 HSU-2852 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island J. S. Appleton WFVZ June 5, 1906 WFVZ-63453 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island George Willett (?) WFVZ June 5, 1910 WFVZ-189659 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island George Willett (?) WFVZ June 5, 1910 WFVZ-189704 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island George Willett WFVZ June 5, 1910 WFVZ-6371 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island George Willett WFVZ June 5, 1910 WFVZ-81604 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island George Willett WFVZ June 5, 1910 WFVZ-89143 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island George Willett WFVZ June 5, 1910 WFVZ-89144 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island George Willett WFVZ June 5, 1910 WFVZ-89145 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island George Willett WFVZ June 5, 1910 WFVZ-89146 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island George Willett WFVZ June 5, 1910 WFVZ-89147 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island George Willett WFVZ June 5, 1910 WFVZ-89148 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island George Willett WFVZ June 5, 1910 WFVZ-95390 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island Antonin Jay WFVZ June 6, 1910 WFVZ-39326 Larus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island Antonin Jay WFVZ June 6, 1910 WFVZ-95407 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island Antonin Jay WFVZ June 6, 1910 WFVZ-95408 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island Antonin Jay WFVZ June 6, 1910 WFVZ-95452 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island Antonin Jay WFVZ June 6, 1910 WFVZ-95457 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island Antonin Jay WFVZ June 6, 1910 WFVZ-95458 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island Antonin Jay WFVZ June 6, 1910 WFVZ-95459 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island Antonin Jay WFVZ June 6, 1910 WFVZ-95453 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island Antonin Jay WFVZ June 6, 1910 WFVZ-95454 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island Antonin Jay WFVZ June 6, 1910 WFVZ-95455 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island Antonin Jay WFVZ June 6, 1910 WFVZ-95456 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island Antonin Jay WFVZ June 6, 1910 WFVZ-95457 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island Antonin Jay WFVZ June 6, 1910 WFVZ-95458 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island Antonin Jay WFVZ June 6, 1910 WFVZ-95459 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island D. R. Dickey WFVZ May 24, 1913 WFVZ-63454 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island D. R. Dickey WFVZ May 24, 1913 WFVZ-63455 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island M. C. Badger (?) FMNH March 7, 1916 FMNH-22247 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Anacapa Island M. C. Badger MVZ March 7, 1916 MCZ-4405 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island M. C. Badger FMNH March 7, 1916 FMNH-22247 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island M. C. Badger WFVZ March 2, 1917 WFVZ-33551 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island M. C. Badger WFVZ March 2, 1917 WFVZ-33553 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island M. C. Badger WFVZ March 2, 1917 WFVZ-34474 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island M. C. Badger WFVZ March 2, 1917 WFVZ-94487 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island M. C. Badger UWBM March 21, 1917 UWBM-27004 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island John Van Denburgh YPM May 15, 1919 YPM-148986 Pelicanus occedentalis californicus Eggs
Anacapa Island S. B. Peyton WFVZ March 7, 1920 WFVZ-94488 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island S. B. Peyton PSM March 7, 1920 PSM-11745 Pelecanus occidentalis Birds
Anacapa Island L. G. Peyton OMNH March 7, 1920 OMNH-2595 Pelecanus occidentalis Birds
Anacapa Island R. H. Canterbury SBMNH March 8, 1922 SBMNH-20383 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island R. H. Canterbury WFVZ March 8, 1922 WFVZ-20293 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island R. H. Canterbury WFVZ March 8, 1922 WFVZ-20294 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island R. H. Canterbury WFVZ March 8, 1922 WFVZ-20295 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island R. H. Canterbury WFVZ March 8, 1922 WFVZ-20296 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island R. H. Canterbury WFVZ March 8, 1922 WFVZ-20297 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island R. H. Canterbury WFVZ March 8, 1922 WFVZ-20298 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island R. H. Canterbury WFVZ March 8, 1922 WFVZ-20299 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island R. H. Canterbury WFVZ March 8, 1922 WFVZ-20300 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island W. L. Dawson SBMNH March 8, 1922 SBMNH-20301 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Anacapa Island W. L. Dawson SBMNH March 8, 1922 SBMNH-20302 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Anacapa Island W. L. Dawson SBMNH March 8, 1922 SBMNH-20303 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Anacapa Island W. L. Dawson SBMNH March 8, 1922 SBMNH-20304 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Anacapa Island W. L. Dawson SBMNH March 8, 1922 SBMNH-20305 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Anacapa Island W. L. Dawson SBMNH March 8, 1922 SBMNH-20306 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Anacapa Island W. L. Dawson SBMNH March 8, 1922 SBMNH-20307 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Anacapa Island W. L. Dawson SBMNH March 8, 1922 SBMNH-20308 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Anacapa Island W. L. Dawson SBMNH March 8, 1922 SBMNH-20309 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Anacapa Island W. L. Dawson SBMNH March 8, 1922 SBMNH-20310 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Anacapa Island W. L. Dawson SBMNH March 8, 1922 SBMNH-20311 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Anacapa Island W. L. Dawson SBMNH March 8, 1922 SBMNH-20312 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Anacapa Island W. L. Dawson SBMNH March 8, 1922 SBMNH-20313 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Anacapa Island W. L. Dawson SBMNH March 8, 1922 SBMNH-20314 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Anacapa Island W. L. Dawson SBMNH March 8, 1922 SBMNH-20315 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Anacapa Island W. L. Dawson SBMNH March 8, 1922 SBMNH-20316 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Anacapa Island W. L. Dawson SBMNH March 8, 1922 SBMNH-20317 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Anacapa Island W. L. Dawson SBMNH March 8, 1922 SBMNH-20318 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Anacapa Island W. L. Dawson SBMNH March 8, 1922 SBMNH-20319 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Anacapa Island W. L. Dawson SBMNH March 8, 1922 SBMNH-20320 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Anacapa Island W. L. Dawson SBMNH March 8, 1922 SBMNH-20321 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Anacapa Island W. L. Dawson SBMNH March 8, 1922 SBMNH-20322 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Anacapa Island W. L. Dawson SBMNH March 8, 1922 SBMNH-20323 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Anacapa Island W. L. Dawson SBMNH March 8, 1922 SBMNH-20324 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Anacapa Island W. L. Dawson SBMNH March 8, 1922 SBMNH-20325 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Anacapa Island W. L. Dawson SBMNH March 8, 1922 SBMNH-20326 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Anacapa Island W. L. Dawson SBMNH March 8, 1922 SBMNH-20327 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Anacapa Island W. L. Dawson SBMNH March 8, 1922 SBMNH-20328 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Anacapa Island W. L. Dawson SBMNH March 8, 1922 SBMNH-20329 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Anacapa Island W. L. Dawson SBMNH March 8, 1922 SBMNH-20330 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Anacapa Island W. L. Dawson SBMNH March 8, 1922 SBMNH-20331 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Anacapa Island W. L. Dawson SBMNH March 8, 1922 SBMNH-20332 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Anacapa Island W. L. Dawson SBMNH March 8, 1922 SBMNH-20333 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Anacapa Island W. L. Dawson SBMNH March 8, 1922 SBMNH-20334 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Anacapa Island W. L. Dawson SBMNH March 8, 1922 SBMNH-20335 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Anacapa Island W. L. Dawson SBMNH March 8, 1922 SBMNH-20336 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Anacapa Island W. L. Dawson SBMNH March 8, 1922 SBMNH-20337 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Anacapa Island W. L. Dawson SBMNH March 8, 1922 SBMNH-20338 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Anacapa Island W. L. Dawson SBMNH March 8, 1922 SBMNH-20339 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Anacapa Island W. L. Dawson SBMNH March 8, 1922 SBMNH-20340 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Anacapa Island W. L. Dawson SBMNH March 8, 1922 SBMNH-20341 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Anacapa Island S. B. Peyton WFVZ March 8, 1922 WFVZ-17128 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island S. B. Peyton WFVZ March 8, 1922 WFVZ-81605 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island S. B. Peyton WFVZ March 8, 1922 WFVZ-110915 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island S. B. Peyton WFVZ March 8, 1922 WFVZ-45298 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island S. B. Peyton SBMNH March 8, 1922 SBMNH-20292 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Anacapa Island L. T. Stevens WFVZ March 1, 1926 WFVZ-45297 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island Charles Ashworth WFVZ March 13, 1927 WFVZ-95391 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island Charles Ashworth & R. E. Thompson WFVZ March 13, 1927 WFVZ-126015 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island M. C. Badger WFVZ March 13, 1927 WFVZ-203401 Pelicanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island M. C. Badger WFVZ March 13, 1927 WFVZ-94490 Pelicanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island M. C. Badger WFVZ March 13, 1927 WFVZ-94491 Pelicanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island S. B. Peyton WFVZ March 8, 1922 WFVZ-48800 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Anacapa Island S. B. Peyton WFVZ March 8, 1922 WFVZ-48802 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Anacapa Island Henry W. Carriger WFVZ March 28, 1927 WFVZ-33554 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island Henry W. Carriger WFVZ March 28, 1927 WFVZ-34473 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island J. R. Pemberton WFVZ March 28, 1927 WFVZ-2927 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island Charles Ashworth & R. E. Thompson WFVZ May 13, 1927 WFVZ-203525 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island R. H. Canterbury WFVZ March 3, 1928 WFVZ-61979 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island R. H. Canterbury SBMNH March 11, 1928 SBMNH-20342 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island R. H. Canterbury SBMNH March 11, 1928 SBMNH-20343 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island R. H. Canterbury SBMNH March 11, 1928 SBMNH-20344 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island Charles Ashworth MVZ February 24, 1929 MVZ-4561 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Anacapa Island Charles Ashworth ROM February 24, 1929 ROM-500476 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Birds
Anacapa Island Charles Ashworth WFVZ February 24, 1929 WFVZ-126016 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island Charles Ashworth WFVZ February 24, 1929 WFVZ-126017 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island Charles Ashworth WFVZ February 24, 1929 WFVZ-203524 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island Charles Ashworth WFVZ February 24, 1929 WFVZ-89141 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island Charles Ashworth & R. E. THOMPSON WFVZ May 11, 1929 WFVZ-73899 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island L. T. Stevens WFVZ March 10, 1935 WFVZ-45296 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island E. N. Harrison WFVZ March 1, 1936 WFVZ-2434 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island L. T. Stevens WFVZ March 1, 1936 WFVZ-30346 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island L. T. Stevens WFVZ March 1, 1936 WFVZ-30348 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island L. T. Stevens WFVZ March 1, 1936 WFVZ-30349 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island E. N. Harrison WFVZ March 12, 1939 WFVZ-2426 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island E. N. Harrison WFVZ March 12, 1939 WFVZ-2427 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island L. T. Stevens SBMNH March 12, 1939 SBMNH-20350 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Anacapa Island L. T. Stevens SBMNH March 12, 1939 SBMNH-20351 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Anacapa Island L. T. Stevens WFVZ March 12, 1939 WFVZ-30347 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island L. T. Stevens WFVZ March 12, 1939 WFVZ-30351 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island L. T. Stevens WFVZ March 12, 1939 WFVZ-30352 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island L. T. Stevens WFVZ March 12, 1939 WFVZ-30353 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island L. T. Stevens WFVZ March 12, 1939 WFVZ-30354 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island L. T. Stevens WFVZ March 12, 1939 WFVZ-30355 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island L. T. Stevens WFVZ March 12, 1939 WFVZ-32222 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island E. N. Harrison WFVZ May 12, 1939 WFVZ-2426 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island E. N. Harrison WFVZ May 12, 1939 WFVZ-2427 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island P. T. Burtis, Jr. MVZ June 23, 1946 MVZ-14080 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Anacapa Island Raymond J. Quigley WFVZ May 27, 1962 WFVZ-33310 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island Raymond J. Quigley WFVZ May 27, 1962 WFVZ-33311 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Anacapa Island Raymond J. Quigley WFVZ May 27, 1962 WFVZ-33312 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs


SAN CLEMENTE ISLAND

1907 San Clemente Island: “Pelecanus californicus. California Brown Pelican. Frequently seen near northwest coast. Adults and immature specimens were secured. None were seen during late March.” [“Visits were made to Clemente in January, February, March, April and October, 1907.”]
Linton, C. B. Notes from San Clemente Island The Condor 10:82-86, March 1908


1984 San Clemente Island: “ BROWN PELICAN (Pelecanus occidentalis). Very common to abundant from Jul to Mar, common Mar to Jul. No breeding records. Highest count is roughly 1800 reported by Briggs et al. (1981) in Oct 1977 during a circumnavigational count. ”


The Birds of San Clemente Island, 1984


ISLAND COLLECTOR INSTITUTION DATE NUMBER SPECIMEN  
San Clemente Island Irwin D. Nokes WFVZ February 6, 1915 WFVZ-2325 Pelecanus occidentalis Birds
San Clemente Island Irwin D. Nokes WFVZ February 6, 1915 WFVZ-2326 Pelecanus occidentalis Birds
San Clemente Island J. T. Brollini LACM October 15, 2001 LACM-111869 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Bird


SAN MIGUEL ISLAND

“Brown Pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) were first recorded by Streator (1888) in July 1886. Five nests were found on Prince Island on 15 July (Willett 1910). Two sets of eggs were collected by B. W. Evermann on Prince Island on 19 May 1919 (CAS 1308, 1318): one set each was taken by J. S. Rowley here on 3 June 1928 (WFVZ 26121), by L. T. Stevens on 25 May 1929 (SBM uncat.) and by Stevens on 24 March 1930 (SBM uncat.). DeGroot's field notes (in WFVZ) for 31 March 1926 mention a large colony of pelicans on Prince Island on 18 April 1939, but none have been reported nesting here since.” [Marine Mammal and Seabird Survey of the Southern California Bight, Volume 3, Issue 3. University of California Santa Cruz et al., July 1978]”


ISLAND COLLECTOR INSTITUTION DATE NUMBER SPECIMEN  
San Miguel Island (Prince Island) O. W. Howard WFVZ June 15, 1910 WFVZ-95410 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
San Miguel Island (Prince Island) O. W. Howard WFVZ June 15, 1910 WFVZ-95411 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
San Miguel Island (Prince Island) O. W. Howard WFVZ June 15, 1910 WFVZ-95412 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
San Miguel Island (Prince Island) J. S. Rowley, Jr. WFVZ June 3, 1928 WFVZ-26121 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
San Miguel Island (Prince Island) L. T. Stevens SBMNH May 25, 1929 SBMNH-20347 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
San Miguel Island (Prince Island) L. T. Stevens SBMNH May 25, 1929 SBMNH-20348 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs


SAN NICOLAS SLAND

1897 San Nicolas Island: “Pelecanus occidentalis—California Brown Pelican. Common at San Pedro harbor, and for several miles out into the channel. Mr. Gaylord saw a flock of fifteen at San Nicolas Island on May 25. A few were seen near Santa Barbara Island on May 13. No signs of nesting were found anywhere... Entire List of Water-Birds Observed. [March 26-April 4; May 11-June 9]. The party [of the second trip] consisted of Joseph Grinnell, who had immediate charge of the expedition, and gave special attention to the ornithology and entomology of the islands; Horace Gaylord, who collected mammals; and Harry Gaylord and James Brittan [Britton] who devoted their time to archaeology. The party left San Pedro harbor May 11 in a large fishing schooner... [returning June 9, 1897]”
Grinnell, Joseph The Islands of Santa Barbara, San Nicolas and San Clemente, in the Spring of 1897 Pasadena Academy of Sciences Publication No. 1, August, 1897 (26 pages).



SANTA BARBARA ISLAND

1897 Santa Barbara Island: “Pelecanus occidentalis—California Brown Pelican. A few were seen near Santa Barbara Island on May 13. No signs of nesting were found anywhere... Entire List of Water-Birds Observed. [March 26-April 4; May 11-June 9]. The party [of the second trip] consisted of Joseph Grinnell, who had immediate charge of the expedition, and gave special attention to the ornithology and entomology of the islands; Horace Gaylord, who collected mammals; and Harry Gaylord and James Brittan [Britton] who devoted their time to archaeology. The party left San Pedro harbor May 11 in a large fishing schooner... [returning June 9, 1897]”
Grinnell, Joseph The Islands of Santa Barbara, San Nicolas and San Clemente, in the Spring of 1897 Pasadena Academy of Sciences Publication No. 1, August, 1897 (26 pages).


ISLAND COLLECTOR INSTITUTION DATE NUMBER SPECIMEN  
Santa Barbara Island G. K. Snyder WFVZ July 3, 1912 WFVZ-95413 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Santa Barbara Island Irwin D. Nokes WFVZ May 7, 1914 WFVZ-203186 Pelecanus occidentalis Birds
Santa Barbara Island Irwin D. Nokes WFVZ May 7, 1914 WFVZ-203412 Pelecanus occidentalis Birds



SANTA CRUZ ISLAND

1886 Santa Cruz Island: Eli Whitney Blake, Jr. visited Santa Cruz Island twice in 1886: from July 4- July 24, and again August 6-September 3. During his visits, Blake camped in a canyon near Platt's Harbor. He noted:

Pelecanus californicus. CALIFORNIA BROWN PELICAN. — Common offshore after August 14; none seen before that date. Very shy.


1907 Santa Cruz Island: “Pelecanus californicus. California Brown Pelican. Fairly common on both coasts. Adults and birds of the year were noted.” [“At 11:30 p. m., November 19, 1907, my father (H. Linton), Mr. George Willett, and myself left San Pedro harbor in a dilapidated fishing smack and in company with a crawfisherman, one “Cold-foot” Jorgensen. We arrived off the south end of Santa Cruz Island at 10:30 the following day during a stiff norwester. For various reasons we were unable to make camp until the 22nd. It may not be amiss to state here that twice during the blow we were nearly wrecked: once while at anchor in Potatoe Harbor, a broken anchor allowing the boat to drift within the breaker line and nearly onto the rocks. In this instance the timely arrival of Willett and H. Linton in a small boat, saved the day, and incidentally the fishing smack. At another time (the engine having broken down) we were blown nearly onto the rocks of Anacapa Island; but with father at the wheel and Willett and I on the “sheet” we managed to hold her off. I mention the foregoing, and the many sleepless nights spent on the rocky shores, “running” the surf several times each day (with attendant duckings), etc., merely as a warning to those who seem inclined to believe a field naturalists ’ life “strewn with roses”. (Its ’ generally strewn with cacti!)”]
Linton, C. B. Notes from Santa Cruz Island] The Condor 10(3):124-129, May 1908


ISLAS CORONADOS
ISLAND COLLECTOR INSTITUTION DATE NUMBER SPECIMEN  
Islas Coronados Earle Parker MVZ April 19, 1894 WFVZ-167303 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Islas Coronados Earle Parker MVZ April 19, 1894 WFVZ-161418 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Islas Coronados Alpheus Hewitt MVZ April 4, 1895 MVZ-4407 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Islas Coronados Alpheus Hewitt WFVZ April 4, 1895 WFVZ-89149 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Islas Coronados Alpheus Hewitt WFVZ April 4, 1895 WFVZ-203377 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Islas Coronados Alpheus Hewitt WFVZ April 4, 1895 WFVZ-203522 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Islas Coronados Alpheus Hewitt WFVZ April 4, 1895 WFVZ-203527 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Islas Coronados Alpheus Hewitt WFVZ April 4, 1895 WFVZ-203528 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Islas Coronados Alpheus Hewitt WFVZ April 4, 1895 WFVZ-203532 Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Eggs
Islas Coronados Albert M. Ingersoll WFVZ April 4, 1895 WFVZ-203514 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Islas Coronados J. H. McConville WFVZ April 5, 1895 WFVZ-89223 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Islas Coronados J. H. McConville WFVZ April 9, 1895 WFVZ-168920 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Islas Coronados C. S. Thompson WFVZ April 15, 1912 WFVZ-203518 Pelecanus occidentalis Birds
Islas Coronados W. C. Bradbury DMNS March 29, 1914 DMNS-1948 Pelicanus occidentalis Eggs
Islas Coronados W. C. Bradbury DMNS March 29, 1914 DMNS-1949 Pelicanus occidentalis Eggs
Islas Coronados W. C. Bradbury DMNS March 29, 1914 DMNS-2008 Pelicanus occidentalis Eggs
Islas Coronados W. C. Bradbury DMNS March 29, 1914 DMNS-2009 Pelicanus occidentalis Eggs
Islas Coronados W. C. Bradbury DMNS March 29, 1914 DMNS-3444 Pelicanus occidentalis Eggs
Islas Coronados W. C. Bradbury DMNS March 29, 1914 DMNS-3660 Pelicanus occidentalis Eggs
Islas Coronados W. C. Bradbury DMNS March 29, 1914 DMNS-3671 Pelicanus occidentalis Eggs
Islas Coronados W. C. Bradbury DMNS March 29, 1914 DMNS-3672 Pelicanus occidentalis Eggs
Islas Coronados W. C. Bradbury DMNS March 29, 1914 DMNS-3673 Pelicanus occidentalis Eggs
Islas Coronados W. C. Bradbury DMNS March 29, 1914 DMNS-3675 Pelicanus occidentalis Eggs
Islas Coronados W. C. Bradbury DMNS March 29, 1914 DMNS-3676 Pelicanus occidentalis Eggs
Islas Coronados W. C. Bradbury DMNS March 29, 1914 DMNS-3677 Pelicanus occidentalis Eggs
Islas Coronados W. C. Bradbury DMNS March 29, 1914 DMNS-3678 Pelicanus occidentalis Eggs
Islas Coronados W. C. Bradbury DMNS March 29, 1914 DMNS-3679 Pelicanus occidentalis Eggs
Islas Coronados W. C. Bradbury DMNS March 29, 1914 DMNS-3680 Pelicanus occidentalis Eggs
Islas Coronados W. C. Bradbury DMNS March 29, 1914 DMNS-3681 Pelicanus occidentalis Eggs
Islas Coronados W. C. Bradbury DMNS March 29, 1914 DMNS-3682 Pelicanus occidentalis Eggs
Islas Coronados W. C. Bradbury DMNS March 29, 1914 DMNS-3683 Pelicanus occidentalis Eggs
Islas Coronados Irwin D. Nokes WFVZ May 31, 1915 WFVZ-216406 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Islas Coronados Irwin D. Nokes WFVZ May 31, 1915 WFVZ-22592 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Islas Coronados Irwin D. Nokes WFVZ May 31, 1915 WFVZ-94491 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Islas Coronados Irwin D. Nokes WFVZ May 31, 1915 WFVZ-94492 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Islas Coronados Irwin D. Nokes WFVZ May 31, 1915 WFVZ-94493 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Islas Coronados Irwin D. Nokes WFVZ May 31, 1915 WFVZ-94494 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Islas Coronados Irwin D. Nokes WFVZ May 31, 1915 WFVZ-94495 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Islas Coronados Irwin D. Nokes WFVZ May 31, 1915 WFVZ-94496 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Islas Coronados C. O. Reis WFVZ May 31, 1915 WFVZ-97300 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
Islas Coronados C. O. Reis WFVZ June 5, 1915 WFVZ-162518 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs


ISLA SAN MARTIN

1913 Isla San Martin: “Pelecanus californicus. California Brown Pelican. Nesting in considerable numbers on the southern shores. ” Wright, H. W.The Birds of San Martin Island, Lower California The Condor 15(6):207-210, November-December, 1913



ISLAND COLLECTOR INSTITUTION DATE NUMBER SPECIMEN  
Isla San Martin A. W. Anthony USNM April 12, 1888 USNM-B42788 Pelicanus occidentalis Birds
Isla San Martin A. W. Anthony USNM April 17, 1888 USNM-B23911 Pelicanus occidentalis Birds
Isla San Martin Horace Poole WFVZ May 30, 1895 WFVZ-95389 Pelecanus occidentalis Eggs
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