Climate Change May Have Fooled Endangered California Brown Pelicans

California brown pelicans in Santa Barbara | Photo by dsearls via Flickr

Back in December and January, California brown pelicans were found wandering in unusual places: parking lots, coastal streets, highways, airport runways and alleys--far away from their usual coastal homes and almost seemingly suicidal.

"Frostbite appeared on many of the bird's pouches and feet because they migrated south about two months late from Oregon and Washington, where they enjoyed unusually warm weather," reported the Daily Breeze. "When they flew south, they encountered harsh winter storms." However, that doesn't conclude the disoriented behavior, so there is still something to be found by scientists.

The California Fish and Game Commission voted to recommend the removal of the species off the state's endangered species list earlier this month, but they remain, although under current review, on the federal one.