Pelicans crash graduation ceremony at Pepperdine University in California

Birds cause chaos as students try to collect their degrees

A pair of pelicans have been caught on camera dive bombing a graduation ceremony at a university in California.

As graduates at Pepperdine University in Malibu tried to collect their honours, the birds caused chaos.

The event was being filmed by videographer Grant Dillon who captured the moment as the pelicans swooped overhead and panicked people tried to get out the way.

One of the pelicans landed on the heads of people sitting near the front of the crowd. Another took a nip out of a staff member as they tried to scoop it up.

Students nonetheless tried to collect their degrees.

Afterwards some took to social media to recount the incident.

“This doesn't capture the fear of those suckers landing on you," Christina Land said, adding: "It was scary!!!”

Amanda Haines, menawhile, called it "one of the most horrifying experiences of my life”

Speaking in slightly less dramatic tones Michael Schundler said: “I was there for my daughter's graduation and this video captures just a small segment of the pelicans' antics... it was quite entertaining”.