Dozens of brown pelicans have been found sick or dead along Oregon’s coast, and wildlife officials are racing to find the cause. Reports have flooded in from Gold Beach, Charleston, Newport, and Tillamook, according to the Sacramento Bee. So far, at least 20 pelicans have been found dead and another 20 have been reported sick.
Initial fears centered around highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), but early tests came back negative. Two carcasses collected in Newport showed no sign of the virus, confirmed by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), KOIN reports.
Yet the mystery remains.
Brown pelicans are turning up dead along Oregon’s coastline.
Eyes on Domoic Acid
While avian influenza appears ruled out, attention is turning toward domoic acid toxicity. This potent neurotoxin, produced by harmful algal blooms, has already wreaked havoc off the coast of Southern California, killing sea lions, dolphins, and even whales, as Sacramento Bee reports.
Brown pelicans, which breed in Southern California and migrate north through Oregon during the spring, may be carrying the consequences of these blooms. Pamela Denmon from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service noted that the phenomenon is widespread along the coast, but so far, there have been no confirmed cases of domoic acid poisoning among Oregon wildlife.
Still, the toxin remains a top suspect. As KCBY reports, ODFW has an active advisory in place, warning against harvesting razor clams from Cascade Head to the California border due to high domoic acid levels, a situation exacerbated by the toxin’s persistence in shellfish.
Wildlife officials have found at least 20 dead and 20 sick birds.
Youth, Migration, and Fatigue
Not all the pelicans found are sick or dying. Some are simply young and exhausted. As ODFW explained to KOIN, juvenile pelicans often struggle during their migration north, especially against strong spring winds.
Beth Quillian, a spokesperson for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, stated in an email to the Sacramento Bee that “this incident is widespread on the Oregon coast”. However, she emphasized that tired birds may not necessarily be sick.
According to KDRV, some of the pelicans appear to be resting rather than injured, a normal behavior during their seasonal journey.
Initial tests ruled out highly pathogenic avian influenza.
Testing and Waiting
Officials continue to collect samples and await additional testing. Full lab results will determine whether domoic acid, another disease, or an environmental factor is to blame.
In the meantime, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has urged the public to leave any sick, resting, or dead pelicans alone. Leashing dogs and giving wildlife plenty of space is critical to avoid adding stress to already vulnerable birds, KCBY reports.
Rehabilitation efforts for pelicans are also extremely limited, making public restraint even more important. “The best thing that can be done is to leave the pelicans alone,” officials stressed told KOIN.
Brown pelicans migrate north from Southern California every spring.
A Shared Concern
Brown pelicans are easily recognized along the coast by their large size, massive bill, and characteristic brownish plumage. The deaths, although still unexplained, have captured public concern.
“We’re seeing a concerning number of sick and dead birds, and we’re working hard to find out why,” wildlife experts told OregonLive.
Until results are in, the shoreline mystery will persist — one that ties together climate, migration, and the delicate balance of marine ecosystems.
