Greater Sage-Grouse
Photo: Bureau of Land Management, Public domain
Lewis first observed the greater sage-grouse on June 6, 1805, near the mouth of the Marias River in Montana. He wrote one of the most detailed ornithological descriptions of the expedition at Fort Clatsop on March 2, 1806, calling it the “cock of the plains.” His description was so thorough and accurate that it rivals the work of professional ornithologists of the era. The species is now threatened due to sagebrush habitat loss across the American West.
Journal Excerpt
Lewis, March 2, 1806: "the Cock of the Plains is found in the plains of Columbia, and are in Great abundance from the entrance of the S.E. fork of the Columbia to that of Clark's river… this is a large bird about 2/3 the size of a turkey… the colour is an uniform mixture of dark brown reather bordoring on a dove colour, redish and yellowish brown."
Journal References
15 journal entries mention Greater Sage-Grouse
