Bird
American White Pelican
Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
Photo: Frank Schulenburg, CC BY-SA 3.0
Common Names
Pelican / White Pelican
Habitat
Pelican Point State Rec Area, Tekameh, Burt County, NE
Conservation
Apparently secure
First Observed
1804-08-08
Observed At
Near the mouth of Little Sioux River, Harrison County, Iowa
Lewis used dissection of pelican to reinforce scientific inquiry as one of the goals for undertaking the Expedition.
Recent sightings
Where it’s being seen today
2 research-grade iNaturalist observations between 2016–2025. Most recent: 2025-06-28. Sourced from Terrain360 trail captures, cached locally.
Journal References
15 journal entries mention American White Pelican
Jun
20
1804
Clark: June 20, 1804
...ds on the L. S. passed Som verry Swift water to
day, I saw Pelicans to day on a Sand bar, my servant York nearly loseing
an eye by a man throwing Sand into it, we ca...
Aug
7
1804
Clark: August 7, 1804
... of my eyes,
with a bush. in my absens Capt Lewis Killed a Pelican on Pelicans Island,
at which place maney Hundreds had Collected, they left 3 fish which was.
fres...
Aug
7
1804
Missouri River near Soldier River — Charles Floyd: August 7, 1804
... Missourie 2 miles above
on a Sand Bare Saw Grait Nomber of Pelicans Capt Clark
went out on the South Side and Jo Collines Killed on[e]
Elke water Bad mad 12 miles Cam...
Aug
7
1804
Missouri River near Soldier River — Patrick Gass: August 7, 1804
... out to hunt and killed an elk. One of
the hunters killed a pelican on a sand bar, and Captain Lewis
killed another, very large. We encamped on the north bank.
In the ...
Aug
8
1804
Clark: August 8, 1804
...t with Sand.the Current runs to
the left. many hundreds of Pelicans on this Islandwe call it
Pelican Isld. Cap Lewis Killed one This river Soux Called by the Sueoux
...
Aug
8
1804
Missouri River near Soldier River — Patrick Gass: August 8, 1804
... out to hunt and killed an elk. One of
the hunters killed a pelican on a sand bar, and Captain Lewis
killed another, very large. We encamped on the north bank.
In the ...
Sep
11
1804
Clark: September 11, 1804
...Deer. &
Squirels the men with me killed an Elk, 2 Deer & a Pelican
Some rain all day to day & Cold
I walked on Shore Saw Several foxes Several Villages of Prarie dogs...
Oct
18
1804
Clark: October 18, 1804
...while to kill- our hunters Killd. 4 Goats 6
Deer 4 Elk & a pelican & informs that they Saw in one Gang 248
Elk, (I walked on Shore, in the evining with a view to See...
Oct
18
1804
Missouri River approaching Cannonball River — Patrick Gass: October 18, 1804
...he hunters
came in having killed six deer, four goats and a pelican.
Oct
19
1804
Clark: October 19, 1804
...of those Conocal
hills our hunters killed 4 Elk 6 Deer & a pelican, I saw Swans in a
Pond & Killed a fat Deer in my walk, Saw above 10 wolves. This day is
pleasent
Oct
20
1805
Columbia River near Wallula Gap — Patrick Gass: October 20, 1805
early; passed along a handsome part of the river; saw some
pelicans and gulls. And as the shores are lined with dead
salmon, there are abundance of crows and ravens. ...
Sep
4
1806
Clark: September 4, 1806
...pecies of Game on the river as usial
except wild geese and pelicans. I observed near Sergt Floyds Grave a
number of flurishing black walnut trees, these are the firs...
Sep
5
1806
Clark: September 5, 1806
...Saw no game on the Shores to
day worth killig only Such as pelicans Geese ducks, Eagles and Hawks &c.-
Sep
6
1806
Clark: September 6, 1806
...ters.
the evening proved Cloudy and the wind blew hard two pelicans were killed
to day. we came 30 Miles only to day the 2 fieldses did not join us I
think they are...
Sep
6
1806
Missouri River through Dakota territory — Patrick Gass: September 6, 1806
number of pelicans, and about 8 o’clock a gang of elk, when
some hunters went out but returned without killing any....
