Bird Archives - Lewis & Clark Research Database https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/species-type/bird/ A digital archive of treaties, documents, artwork, and 360° trail panoramas from the Corps of Discovery Wed, 18 Feb 2026 18:45:13 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Great Blue Heron https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/great-blue-heron/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 23:17:34 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/great-blue-heron/ Lewis carefully described the great blue heron along the lower Columbia River, noting it among the water birds below the tidal zone.

The post Great Blue Heron appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

]]> Lewis provided detailed descriptions of “the large blue and brown herons, or Crains as they are usually called in the U States,” noting they were found below tide water on the Columbia River. He carefully distinguished them as water-dependent birds in his March 1806 natural history observations. Clark also documented these birds among species that “obtain their Subsistence from the water” alongside fishing hawks, kingfishers, and gulls.

The post Great Blue Heron appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

]]> Sandhill Crane https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/sandhill-crane/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 23:17:34 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/sandhill-crane/ Sandhill cranes were observed in grasslands and river valleys, their distinctive calls echoing across the Great Plains and mountain meadows.

The post Sandhill Crane appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

]]> Sandhill cranes were observed multiple times during the expedition, particularly in open grasslands and river valleys. Clark noted “Sand hill cranes, Curloos and fowls common to the plains” in May 1806, and recorded seeing them along with young geese on the Yellowstone River in July 1806. The expedition members also hunted cranes when other game was scarce; Shields and Gibson once returned having “killed a Sandhill Crane only.”

The post Sandhill Crane appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

]]> Common Raven https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/common-raven/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 23:17:34 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/common-raven/ Ravens were a common sight in the western territories, frequently listed alongside hawks and crows in Lewis's daily bird observations.

The post Common Raven appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

]]> Ravens are found in northern areas around the World, the western North America subspecies was first recorded by Lewis.

The post Common Raven appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

]]> Red-tailed Hawk https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/red-tailed-hawk/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 23:17:33 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/red-tailed-hawk/ Hawks were among the most frequently noted raptors, observed soaring over the Great Plains and river valleys throughout the journey.

The post Red-tailed Hawk appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

]]> Hawks were among the most frequently mentioned raptors in the expedition journals, observed soaring over the plains and river valleys daily. While Lewis and Clark used the general term “hawks” without always specifying species, the red-tailed hawk was certainly the most common buteo along the route. They were often noted alongside eagles, ravens, and other birds of prey.

The post Red-tailed Hawk appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

]]> American Crow https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/american-crow/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 23:17:33 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/american-crow/ Listed among the "Birds most Common" by Clark, the American crow was a familiar presence in woodlands and river bottoms along the route.

The post American Crow appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

]]> Pacific Coast species separated from closely related Common Crow only by its smaller size and voice, as noted by Lewis.

The post American Crow appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

]]> Canada Goose https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/canada-goose/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 23:17:33 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/canada-goose/ Canada geese were a constant presence along the rivers, providing food for the Corps especially when the birds were flightless during molting season.

The post Canada Goose appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

]]> Geese were constantly observed throughout the journey and served as an important food source. Lewis noted in August 1806 that “the geese cannot fly at present,” referring to the molting season when the birds shed their flight feathers. The Corps hunted geese regularly to supplement their diet, particularly during lean times on the Columbia River.

The post Canada Goose appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

]]> Mallard Duck https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/mallard-duck/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 23:17:33 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/mallard-duck/ Ducks were among the most frequently mentioned waterfowl, observed on virtually every river, lake, and wetland along the route.

The post Mallard Duck appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

]]> Ducks were among the most frequently mentioned waterfowl in the expedition journals, observed along virtually every waterway. Lewis and Clark noted multiple species but most commonly encountered the mallard. Ducks served as a supplemental food source and were often mentioned alongside geese, pelicans, and other waterfowl in the daily wildlife observations.

The post Mallard Duck appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

]]> Wild Turkey https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/wild-turkey/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 23:17:33 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/wild-turkey/ Wild turkeys were found in the forested river bottoms, their appearance on the return journey signaling the Corps' approach to settled country.

The post Wild Turkey appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

]]> Wild turkeys were observed in the wooded river bottoms of the lower Missouri and again on the return journey. Clark specifically noted discovering “the first Signs of the wild turkey” as they descended the Missouri in August 1806, marking their return to the eastern forests. The birds served as an important food source when other game was scarce.

The post Wild Turkey appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

]]> Bald Eagle https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/bald-eagle/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 23:17:33 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/bald-eagle/ Bald eagles were frequently sighted fishing along the Missouri and Columbia Rivers throughout the expedition journey.

The post Bald Eagle appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

]]> Bald eagles were frequently observed along the rivers throughout the journey. Lewis distinguished between the bald eagle and the “Callamet Eagle” (golden eagle), noting their fishing habits and nesting along the Missouri and Columbia Rivers. The expedition members regarded the eagle as a majestic symbol of the wilderness they were traversing.

The post Bald Eagle appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

]]> Western Grebe https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/western-grebe/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 17:52:35 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/western-grebe/ Lewis described the western grebe in his natural history observations at Fort Clatsop during the winter of 1805-1806. This large diving bird, with its striking black and white plumage and long neck, was among the...

The post Western Grebe appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

]]> Lewis thought this large grebe was a “half size” loon. Western grebe nest across north plains, winter on Pacific coast.

The post Western Grebe appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

]]>