What to Know
- The pelicans have been nesting for nearly 20 years.
- They reside in Miami's Pelican Harbor Seabird Station.
Male American brown pelicans Enrique and Pepe have nested together for nearly two decades.
The pelicans have lived in a large pen overlooking Biscayne Bay at Miami's Pelican Harbor Seabird Station for the past 18 years.
"They're both males. We've had their DNA tested twice and both results came back; they are boys and spend all their time together," Pelican Harbor Seabird Station official Christopher Boykin said.
The birds cannot be released: Enrique can't fly due to a wing injury and Pepe has a frozen wing caused by a nutritional deficiency or previous injury.
Pelican nests are usually from six inches to a foot tall. However, the dynamic pelican duo has built a nest more than two feet tall.
Over the years, Enrique and Pepe have also acted as parents.
Local
"They've actually fostered pelicans from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill," Boykin added.
Boykin said Pelican Harbor Seabird Station rescues and rehabilitates injured, sick and orphaned wildlife.
