An unmistakable bird of coastal waters, groups of Brown Pelicans fly low over the waves in single file, flapping and gliding in unison. These iconic seabirds have faced more than their share of challenges. Once nearly wiped out by plume hunting, overfishing, and the pesticide DDT, they were finally recovering when the 2010 BP oil disaster dealt another devastating blow. But thanks in part to Audubon’s decades of work to protect and restore coastal habitat, Brown Pelicans are once again nesting and thriving—especially at places like Queen Bess Island in Louisiana, where colonies are growing strong. Their comeback is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we invest in conservation.

Now, more birds need your help to follow in the Brown Pelican's path to recovery. Will you start your annual gift before midnight to help shape a future where the birds we love remain part of our world for generations to come? For a few more hours, your first gift will go 2X as far >>