PUBLIC NOTICE: EGMONT KEY IS COMPLETELY CLOSED TO VISITATION UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

Friends of the Tampa Bay National Wildlife Refuges

Friends of the Tampa Bay National Wildlife RefugesFriends of the Tampa Bay National Wildlife RefugesFriends of the Tampa Bay National Wildlife Refuges

Friends of the Tampa Bay National Wildlife Refuges

Friends of the Tampa Bay National Wildlife RefugesFriends of the Tampa Bay National Wildlife RefugesFriends of the Tampa Bay National Wildlife Refuges
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    • Home
    • The Refuges
      • Egmont Key
      • Passage Key
      • The Pinellas Refuges
    • Get Involved
      • Adopt a Sea Turtle Nest
      • Bird Surveys
      • Bird Stewards
      • Guardhouse Docents
      • Refuge Cleanups
      • Membership
      • Event Calendar
      • Donate
    • Resources
      • Releasing a Hooked Bird
      • Bird Rescue Organizations
      • Egmont and The Seminole
      • Save Egmont Key
      • Friends Matter Newsletter
      • Volunteer Forms
    • Contact Us
    • Gift Shop
  • Home
  • The Refuges
    • Egmont Key
    • Passage Key
    • The Pinellas Refuges
  • Get Involved
    • Adopt a Sea Turtle Nest
    • Bird Surveys
    • Bird Stewards
    • Guardhouse Docents
    • Refuge Cleanups
    • Membership
    • Event Calendar
    • Donate
  • Resources
    • Releasing a Hooked Bird
    • Bird Rescue Organizations
    • Egmont and The Seminole
    • Save Egmont Key
    • Friends Matter Newsletter
    • Volunteer Forms
  • Contact Us
  • Gift Shop

Learn How to Safely Release a Hooked Bird

Hooked a bird while fishing?

With just a little extra attention to your surroundings, you and your pelican friends can both have a great day out on the water.

Although its wingspan is over 6 ½ feet, a pelican weighs only 8-10 pounds and your fishing line will hold it. Note: the bird won’t know you are trying to help and will try to defend itself. Pelicans do not have teeth, but they have a hook at the beak’s tip and its edges are sharp and could give you a small “paper” cut. Watch this video to learn how to safely unhook and release a bird.


Click here to download a printable guide to unhooking a bird.

Interested in learning more about pelicans and the problem of fishing gear entanglement?

Check out this in-depth video produced by the Tampa, Saint Petersburg, and Manatee County Audubon Societies.

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