On the way to Poverty Point Reservoir State Park, we stopped at the Rest Area / Louisiana Welcome Center. John had to wait for me because I needed to take a selfie with the Louisiana sign.

Did you know that the Louisiana state bird is the brown pelican, which is pictured on the sign. The brown pelican became the state bird in 1966, and it represents the coastal heritage and ecosystem. The brown pelican is known for its large wingspan, long hooked bill, and distinctive diving behavior. The brown pelican plunges into the water to catch fish.

The brown pelican population declined in the 1950s due to DDT poisoning which caused nesting failures. Since banning harmful pesticide and starting re-introduction efforts, the population has risen. They can be commonly found in coastal areas.

When French settlers arrived in Louisiana, they admired the bird for its dedicated care of its young. This resulted in the depiction of a mother pelican feeding her chicks on the state flag.

We haven’t seen a brown pelican, but hope to see one soon.