Photo of the week: Releasing Brown Pelicans

Back to the wild in San Pedro, CA with our release of rehabilitated Brown Pelicans.

These beautiful pelicans were taken care of at the Los Angeles Oiled Bird Care and Education Center (LABCEC) in Southern California.

Over the years, IBRRC has treated thousands of Pelicans at its two California bird centers. Thanks to contributions and foundation grants, our bird centers each have 100-foot pelican aviaries to help these majestic birds recuberate from injuries, sickness and stress.

How can you help? Adopt a Pelican!

Details about Pelicans in Peril

Something to quack about: Orphaned ducklings

It's orphaned duckling season here at IBRRC. You can help us care for the thousands of these aquatic birds we raise each year.

It's only 25 bucks and you get a adoption certificate. The good vibe after your adoption lasts soooo much longer.

Go >> Adopt-a-Duckling.

So many mouths to feed: Adopt a duckling

With Mother's Day just around the corner (Sunday, May 10th) you may be scratching your head wondering what gift to get dear old Mom. How about adopting a duckling? For $25 you'll make mom proud. The adoption also includes a certificate suitable for framing.

For $75 you can also gift a clutch of ducklings.

The adoptions help us care for more hungry, orphaned ducklings at both of our California bird centers. So far this year we've received over 300 ducklings.

Click on the PayPal donation link to the far right >> or see our adoption page on the IBRRC website.

Also hear:

Radio interview with Jay Holcomb on Duckling adoptions MP3 Format 1.9 MB

Help needed: Adopt a duckling!

Spring is finally upon us and that means one thing at IBRRC: Ducklings!

This year we're again asking the public to help us pay for the cost of raising these orpahaned ducklings. Each year we receive thousands of these adorable little water birds. They have huge appetites and if you can help us out, we'd be more than thankful.

For as little as $25 you can adopt here or use the new PayPal widget to make a contribution. >> See on the upper right >>

Thanks from all of us at IBRRC...where the birds come first.

They don't come with credit cards: Birds in need

Aquatic bird specialists, International Bird Rescue Research Center (IBRRC) is noticing a trend in California Brown Pelicans along the coastline from Monterey to San Diego and they need your help.

An unusual number of birds are coming in thin and disoriented - being found on roads and in fields. What is remarkable is that many are adult pelicans. Often this behavior is associated with domoic acid from a marine algae but so far the birds exhibit no other typical neurological disorders. The center now has 40 in care; ten pelicans came in in the last few days.

IBRRC is asking for your help in reporting ailing pelicans to your local rescue organization or by calling the toll-free California Wildlife Hotline 866-WILD-911. You are encouraged to leave information on dead pelicans there as well by pressing option 2.

How to help

Both of IBRRC's facilities are in need of assistance in transporting pelicans from other centers and with the care of the high number of birds in treatment. There's dire need for funds to offset the cost of caring for these huge birds - their adopt a pelican program is a unique way to help while being personally involved in a pelican's care and release. Adopt-a-pelican

To help, please send inquiries to info@ibrrc.org or call the Fairfield facility at (707) 207-0380 Ext 110 or the San Pedro center at (310) 514-2573.

Kudos to the Daily Breeze newspaper in Southern California for the pelican story Swooping in for birds in need: Pelicans overload rescue center in San Pedro. The article captures perfectly the increase in sick and hungry brown pelicans coming into the San Pedro bird center.

Jay Holcomb, IBRRC's Executive Director was quoted in the article:

"We don't usually get that many that come in at this time of year. We've been getting them regularly, and we've been concerned about it," Holcomb said. "They're expensive animals - they eat tons of fish and require a lot of medicine. We'll never shut the door to them, but they don't come in with credit cards."

More Adopt a bird info and Donate online info.

Sick and hungry pelicans flooding bird centers

It's another busy summer season for the staff and volunteers at IBRRC as sick and starving young pelicans arrive for treatment at both California centers. Since June nearly 100 pelicans have been transfered to the bird rescue centers – one in San Pedro and the other in Cordelia, CA – to be given the best possible care. They're coming from Monterey/Santa Cruz and Los Angeles/Orange County area beaches.

To help defray the cost of caring for the pelicans, IBRRC is asking for the public's help. Currently the pelicans are eating at least $750 worth of fish a day.

You can adopt a pelican through the bird center's adopt-a-bird program for $200. For a $500 adoption fee you can become a Pelican Partner. When your pelican is ready for release, you will be invited to one of our two bird centers in California and watch as our staff gives your bird its final examination, evaluation, approval and numbered Federal band. You and your family will then accompany IBRRC staff to release your pelican at a local site. You will be the one to open the cage, let your pelican go free and take photos or video of this wonderful experience. A beautiful commemorative certificate will include your name, the date and place of release and your pelican’s band number. You will also receive a IBRRC t-shirt.


Luckily this year IBRRC completed construction of a new 100-foot pelican aviary at its Cordelia, CA bird center. The aviary allows pelicans to recuperate in large comfortable setting. It has two large pools and perches for the birds to fly back and forth to stretch their wings. The aviary was completed with funds from the Green Foundation and the Oiled Wildlife Care Network (OWCN). The San Pedro center has had a pelican aviary since it opened in 2001.



How to help: Adopt-a-Pelican

More information on Pelicans in Peril

Found a bird? How to handle a sick or injured pelican or other aquatic birds.

Make Mom proud, adopt a duckling!

Mother's Day just around the corner and have we got the perfect gift idea: Adopt a orphaned duckling!

She doesn't have to care for it, wash it or feed it; IBRRC will do all the work. She'll get a nice certificate and photo to show her you really care about these adorable little birds. Besides, haven't you given her every pot holder known to motherkind? Or taken her to Marie Callenders or Applebees enough in the last few years?

The duckling adoption costs $25 or adopt a clutch of ducklings for $75 and really make her proud. We take credit cards online or you can download an adoption form and send in a check. Adoption info

Last year IBRRC raised about 1,500 ducklings brought to our California bird centers. They take a lot of care, eat a ton of duck food and IBRRC relies on the public's help to cover the cost.

Help us make a difference in the lives of these wonderful waterfowl and give mom something to remember on May 11th.