Brown pelicans are not the only bird species being impacted by the Gulf oil spill, although they may be the most photogenic. Tern, gull and skimmer populations are also threatened.
Birder's World Magazine reports that "Sandbars, barrier islands, and marshes along the entire Louisiana coast shelter sizable portions of the U.S. populations of Sandwich Terns (77%), Black Skimmer (44%), and Forster's Tern (52%), as well as large breeding colonies of Brown Pelicans."
The magazine also states that 23 species of seabird and shorebird use Breton National Wildlife Refuge (the Chandeleur Islands, located in the direct line of flow) frequently, and 13 species nest there. "The most abundant nesters are Brown Pelicans, Laughing Gulls, and Royal, Caspian, and Sandwich Terns. Together, they form the largest tern colony in North America -- as many as 60,000 birds at one time"
Above is a 2009 photo of an oil-free royal tern (I think, due to the color and hunkiness of the bill) taken by Wayne Mallinger.
Thanks again for sharing, Wayne.
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