{"id":11148,"date":"2024-03-28T08:45:55","date_gmt":"2024-03-28T07:45:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/?p=11148"},"modified":"2024-03-28T08:45:55","modified_gmt":"2024-03-28T07:45:55","slug":"are-there-pelicans-in-mississippi-river","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/are-there-pelicans-in-mississippi-river\/","title":{"rendered":"Are There Pelicans In Mississippi River"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Are there pelicans in Mississippi River? This question has been on the minds of many who are interested in wildlife. There is a growing awareness and concern about the conservation of this majestic bird, which is classified as threatened and endangered by the US Fish & Wildlife Service. While the question of whether there are pelicans inhabiting the Mississippi River is relatively open ended, the answer has been a contentious one. <\/p>\n

The bulk of the population of this species of bird can be found in the Gulf and Atlantic coasts of both Mississippi and Louisiana, as well as along the eastern coast of the United States. Mississippi, along with its neighboring coastline, is also a hotbed for many different species of migratory birds that visit the area each year during their seasonal travels. <\/p>\n

Although there have been some recent sightings of pelicans along the banks of the Mississippi River, their numbers are still limited and only a small handful can be found throughout the entire state. Scientists postulate that this can be attributed to the fact that much of the river’s water is muddy and not optimal for the pelicans to find plentiful sources of food within their habitat. This is because the birds use their long beaks to fish, consuming a variety of fish, amphibians, and even small reptiles. <\/p>\n

Additionally, the introduction of invasive species, specifically species such as the Asian Carp, has typically led to a decline in the abundance of native fish in the river, which can make it difficult for pelicans to obtain sufficient amounts of food. Furthermore, the loss of aquatic vegetation due to increased levels of pollution in the water can also detrimentally affect the pelican’s food supply. <\/p>\n