For sure... but birds in general are surprisingly smart if you really pay attention. Even chickens are smarter than they usually get credit for. Chickens mostly lack the opportunity to learn...chickens raised in a completely open environment develop surprising behaviors and show unexpected insight.
Im guessing that pelicans, being predators, are probably much smarter.
Nature has a tendency to ignore human ideas of justice and ethics.
The will of the stronger is the primary “law” of nature.