Brown Pelican With Severe Beak Trouble

The following story about a brown pelican was shared with us by Discovery Bay Wild Bird Rescue in Washington.

We recently treated a brown pelican that arrived in October 2022. He was found with his upper mandible stuck into the lower mandible. Also, the hook on the end of his beak had gone through the pouch and torn the skin.

We were able to separate the beaks and began the process of recovery.

On intake, the bird weighed 4 pounds. After hydrating well the bird was given EmerAid IC Piscivore orally four times daily, along with Pedialyte for extra hydration.

This bird recovered well and was released on November 11, 2022. He is now back on the west coast of Washington state at Ocean Shores.