Because little is known about juvenile American White Pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) this study was conducted to gather more information on disease, general ecology and growth of American White Pelicans from hatching to fledging. In July 2011, American White Pelican regurgitate samples from North and South Dakota sub-colonies were collected/analyzed in preparation for a captive trial. Nutrient content compared between the colonies was found to be significantly different. Concentrations of Immunoglobulin Y and A in regurgitate samples were significantly different between colonies. A captive trial began 29 May 2012 and ended 30 July 2012, in which 16 American White Pelicans were hand raised from hatching to fledging. During the captive trial, various growth parameters, intake and fecal output were examined to determine the effect of the parasite Bolbophorus damnificus in 8 infected and 8 non-infected (parasite free) pelicans. Growth data collected on B. damnificus infected (n = 8) American White Pelicans was compared to previously mentioned parasiteree pelicans (n = 8) to determine effects of the parasite. There were no differences between groups for culmen length (P= 0.214), tarsal length (P = 0.306), body weight (P = 0.884) or intake (P = 0.963). There was also no effect of the parasite on body temperature. Towards the end of the captive trial, several pelicans both on (n = 16) and off (n = 11) trial became naturally infected with West Nile Virus. Clinical symptoms ranged from lethargy and/or wing droop to total paralysis. Progression of disease is detailed in two well-defined case studies with additional information included on clinical signs, physiological parameters, and a review of the pathology of disease for other infected birds.

The effects of aquaculture decline on piscivorous birds in the Mississippi Delta concern catfish farmers with possible increases in fish loss and disease transmission. My study was aimed to (1) develop a new harassment method using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to effectively control piscivorous birds at fish farms; (2) determine change in spatial distribution of American white pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) in the Mississippi Delta since aquaculture decline; and (3) determine third-order habitat selection by the pelicans in the wintering grounds. The UAV harassment did not reduce piscivorous bird abundance more than human harassment in a 2-year field experiment. Aerial surveys demonstrate that the pelicans used natural water bodies to find food more frequently in 2015–2017 than in 1997–1999. Average pelican flock size decreased following the aquaculture decline. Lastly, land cover and land use did not predict fine-scale habitat selection by the pelican.

The digenetic trematode, Bolbophorus damnificus, poses a substantial threat to catfish aquaculture, causing significant economic losses. Infestations lead to suppressed feed consumption, secondary bacterial infections and poor production performance. Survey data reveals widespread infestation in the in the southeastern United States. Current control strategies involve the application of a concentrated copper sulfate solution to reduce snail populations which serve as the first intermediate host of the trematode life cycle. This study aimed to improve treatment efficacy by developing a granular copper sulfate application system. A modified Gandy fertilizer applicator, equipped with a programmable control system, demonstrated accurate distribution of copper sulfate crystals along pond margins at various speeds. Granular copper sulfate was effective in killing snails along the pond margins at treatment rates between 1-3 ppm. The innovative system offers a practical, single-pass solution to combat trematode infestations in catfish ponds and minimizes logistical challenges associated with multiple applications.