Pelicans And Airports: A Dangerous Mix?

Pelicans are large water birds with long beaks and large throat pouches used for catching prey. They are social birds that travel in flocks and nest in colonies. While they are strong swimmers and splendid fliers, they appear rather clumsy on land. Pelicans are often accused of competing with fishermen and the commercial fishing industry for fish. This has led to persecution by humans, including clubbing, shooting, and the destruction of their eggs and young. Additionally, their populations have been impacted by habitat destruction, disturbance, and environmental pollution. Due to these factors, three species of pelicans are considered to be at risk. In airports, pelicans have been known to cause travel issues, especially when they come into contact with aircraft and other infrastructure.

Pelicans and airport security

The distinctive Pelican case has become a target for security inspections due to its perceived association with firearms and military equipment. As a result, travellers who use Pelican cases may find themselves facing additional security measures, including X-ray scans and thorough searches of their luggage. In some cases, travellers have reported being pulled aside by security agents and asked to explain the contents of their Pelican cases, leading to delays and inconvenience.

The security concerns surrounding Pelican cases stem from their popularity among gun owners and military personnel for transporting firearms and sensitive equipment. While Pelican cases are also commonly used by photographers and other professionals to protect valuable gear, their association with firearms has led to heightened scrutiny at airports. This scrutiny is further exacerbated by the fact that Pelican cases are designed to be rugged and durable, which can arouse suspicion among security personnel.

To avoid potential issues at airport security, some travellers have resorted to masking or covering the "Pelican" name or logo on their cases. Others have suggested obtaining pre-check clearance or using alternative brands of carry-on luggage that are less likely to attract attention. However, with the increasing prevalence of Pelican cases among travellers from all walks of life, it is important for airport security to strike a balance between ensuring safety and facilitating efficient travel for legitimate Pelican case users.

Overall, the relationship between pelicans and airport security is a delicate one. While the cases provide excellent protection for valuable equipment, their association with firearms and military use has led to increased scrutiny and security checks for travellers. As Pelican cases become more common, it is crucial for airport security to employ effective screening measures that balance safety with the convenience and peace of mind of travellers.

Pelican feeding habits

Pelicans are large water birds with long beaks and extendable pouches. They are remarkably buoyant and have an awkward, ungainly appearance. They have a diverse diet, eating a wide array of fish, small reptiles, amphibians, and crustaceans. They have even been seen trying to eat pigeons, cats, crabs, and seagulls. Pelicans are opportunistic carnivores, eating whatever is available.

Pelicans are gregarious birds, travelling in flocks and hunting co-operatively. They are also very adaptable, able to survive in both fresh and saltwater. They are found in coastal and maritime zones, as well as inland waterways. They are absent from polar regions, the deep ocean, and oceanic islands.

The brown pelican is the only true marine pelican and the only one that dives for food. It is also the smallest species of pelican. The other species mostly sit on the surface of the water and dip their bills in to feed.

Pelicans are monogamous, with males and females tending the nest and incubating the eggs together. They are also very protective of their young, feeding them regurgitated food.

The impact of human activity on pelicans

Pelicans (genus Pelecanus) are a genus of large water birds with a long beak and a large throat pouch used for catching prey. They are social birds that travel in flocks and can be found in tropic and temperate zones, always near bodies of water. Human activity has had a significant impact on pelican populations, and their relationship with humans has often been contentious. Here are some ways in which human activities have affected pelicans:

• Persecution and Culling: Pelicans have been persecuted and culled by humans due to perceived competition for fish resources. This has led to deliberate destruction of their eggs, young, and nesting sites, as well as targeted hunting and culling. While studies have shown that pelicans usually eat fish that are not favored by humans, such as carp, shiners, mullet, and minnows, the belief that they compete with commercial and recreational fishing has persisted.
• Habitat Destruction: Human activities such as wetland drainage, coastal development, and deforestation have resulted in the destruction and disturbance of pelican habitats. This has led to a decline in their populations, especially for ground-nesting species like the Dalmatian pelican, which is now considered vulnerable.
• Pollution and Contamination: Pollution from pesticides, such as DDT and endrin, has contaminated waterways and affected pelican food sources. These pollutants accumulate in the food chain, causing reproductive issues and thinning of eggshells, ultimately leading to breeding failure. Oil spills and the presence of pollutants like heavy metals and pesticides in the water also pose significant threats to pelican populations.
• Entanglement and Injuries: Pelicans are vulnerable to entanglement in fishing lines and hooks, especially when scavenging for fishing refuse or interacting with fishermen. Barbed hooks can cause serious injuries, and birds often struggle to free themselves, leading to starvation and death.
• Disturbance at Breeding Colonies: Human activities, including birdwatching, photography, and tourism, can cause disturbance at pelican breeding colonies. This can lead to accidental destruction of eggs, exposure of hatchlings to predators and adverse weather, and even abandonment of colonies.
• Hunting and Sport Hunting: In some regions, pelicans are hunted or targeted for sport hunting, further endangering their populations.
• Conservation Efforts: On a positive note, human intervention has also played a role in conserving and protecting pelicans. Conservation efforts, including legal protection and the establishment of protected areas, have helped stabilize or increase populations of certain pelican species.

Overall, human activities have had a significant impact on pelican populations, and it is essential to address these issues to ensure the long-term survival of these magnificent birds.

Pelicans and oil spills

Pelicans are gregarious birds that travel in flocks and are characterised by a long beak and a large throat pouch used for catching prey. They are very large birds with long bills characterised by a downcurved hook at the end of the upper mandible. Pelicans are highly susceptible to oil spills, both directly by being oiled and by the impact on their food resources.

The brown pelican, for example, was nearly wiped out by the pesticide DDT and was listed as an endangered species in 1970. After a ban on DDT and conservation efforts, the species recovered and was removed from the endangered list in November 2009. However, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in April 2010 threatened the recovery of the brown pelican, with hundreds of them affected by the oil slick. If the birds dive into oil-slicked waters, their feathers can become saturated, leading to hypothermia or drowning. The oil spill also contaminated their food sources, as they may eat fish tainted by the pollution and feed them to their young.

The spill posed particular risks to the brown pelican population in Louisiana, where thousands of these birds were nesting at the Breton National Wildlife Refuge. Rescuers found a few oiled brown pelicans alive, and a couple more dead. The oil also washed up at Audubon's Rainey Sanctuary in southwestern Louisiana, which covers more than 20,000 acres of ecologically significant coastal marsh habitats.

The long-term impact of the Deepwater Horizon disaster on the brown pelican species is unknown, but any disruption to their breeding cycle could have serious effects on the population due to their low reproductive rate.

Pelicans in mythology

Pelicans have a long history of cultural significance in mythology, Christian iconography, and heraldry.

Ancient Egypt

In Ancient Egypt, the pelican was associated with death and the afterlife. It was often depicted in art on the walls of tombs, and figured in funerary texts as a protective symbol against snakes. The pelican, or "henet", was also referred to as the "mother of the king" and was thus seen as a goddess.

Native American Mythology

The Nez Perce considered the pelican a medicine bird, and in some California Indian tribes, the pelican was said to have control over storms and weather. In oral history from a Cree elder, the pelican also appears as a symbol of humility, where the winds punish a hunter for killing pelicans recklessly.

Christian Mythology

In Christian mythology, the pelican is seen as a symbol of the ultimate sacrifice of Christ. The standard pelican story begins with a mother pelican giving birth to a brood of young chicks. As the young grow, they become violent toward their parent and attempt to peck out her eyes. In anger, the mother pelican kills her young but then pierces her own side with her beak, allowing her blood to drip on them and bring them back to life. This story is said to mirror the pain inflicted on God by people's idolatry and the self-sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.

The pelican is also featured in the 3rd or 4th-century Christian text, the Physiologus, where it is claimed that pelicans kill their young when they grow and strike their parents in the face, only to bring them back to life with their blood.

Heraldry

The image of the "pelican in her piety" or the "pelican vulning herself" is commonly used in heraldry, representing a caring and self-sacrificing parent. The pelican was also featured on the British halfpenny coin, as well as the seals of several universities, including Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, and Corpus Christi College, Oxford.

Frequently asked questions