What is the state bird of Louisiana?

The state bird of Louisiana is unique among the world's seven species of pelicans. The brown pelican is found along the ocean shores and not on inland lakes. It is the only dark pelican, and also the only one that plunges from the air into the water to catch its food. The brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) was designated the official state bird of Louisiana in 1966. Early European settlers were impressed with the pelican's generous and nurturing attitude toward their young, and the brown pelican has been a symbol of Louisiana since that time. As almost all birds do, these brown colored pelicans migrate to a warmer area in the world. Brown pelicans breed at 3 years or older in age laying an approximate amount of about 2-4 eggs each year. When the babies are born, both the mother and the father feed the young. When they are older they leave the nests at about 5 weeks. When they are 9-12 weeks old they try their first flight.