Bird
Mallard Duck
Anas platyrhynchos
Photo: Richard Bartz, CC BY-SA 2.5
Common Names
Common Mallard, Wild Duck, Green-head
Habitat
Rivers, lakes, wetlands, and marshes along the entire expedition route
First Observed
1804-07-04
Observed At
Along the Missouri River
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.
Journal References
15 journal entries mention Mallard Duck
Sep
16
1804
Lewis: September 16, 1804
... fond of the acorn, the Buffaloe Elk, deer, bear,
turkies, ducks, pigegians and even the wolves feed on them; we sent three
hunters out who soon added eight deer ...
Apr
16
1805
Lewis: April 16, 1805
...both in the plains and on the riverI
have observed but few ducks, those we have met with are the Mallard and
blue winged Teal
Apr
26
1805
Clark: April 26, 1805
...y beaver is in every bend. I observe that the
Magpie Goose duck & Eagle all have their nests in the Same
neighbourhood, and it is not uncommon for the Magpie to b...
May
3
1805
Lewis: May 3, 1805
...y of the long tale kind, Antelope or goats, beaver, geese,
ducks, brant and some swan. near the entrance of the river mentioned in
the 10th course of this day, we...
Jul
23
1805
Lewis: July 23, 1805
... answered the
desired purpose. we saw Antelopes Crain gees ducks beaver and Otter. we
took up four deer which Capt. Clark & party had killed and left near
the ri...
Jul
24
1805
Lewis: July 24, 1805
...umber of Crams &
Antelopes, some gees and a few red-headed ducks the small bird of the
plains and curloos still abundant. we observed a great number of snakes
ab...
Jul
27
1805
Lewis: July 27, 1805
... each 90 yds. wide. in
these meadows I saw a number of the duckanmallad with their young which
are now nearly grown. Currants of every species as well as goosberr...
Jul
29
1805
Lewis: July 29, 1805
...eft the falls of the Missouri. we have not seen
the summer duck since we left that place, nor do I beleive that it is an
inhabitant of the Rocky mountains. the Du...
Aug
2
1805
Lewis: August 2, 1805
...ber of
beaver dams and the inhabitants of them, many young ducks both of the
Duckanmallard and the redheaded fishing duck, gees, several rattle snakes,
black woo...
Aug
25
1805
Lewis: August 25, 1805
...hrough the Shoshone cove Frazier fired his
musquet at some ducks in a little pond at the distance of about 60 yards
from me; the ball rebounded from the water and...
Oct
14
1805
Clark: October 14, 1805
...plaines on each Side is wavering. Labiesh killed 2 gees & 2 Ducks of
the large kind. at two oClock we loaded & Set out, our Powder &
Provisions of roots not Suffi...
Oct
17
1805
Clark: October 17, 1805
... was 20 Indians I shot a large Prairie Cock Several Grouse, Ducks and fish.
on my return found Great Numbr. of the nativs with Capt Lewis, men all
employd in dres...
Nov
4
1805
Clark: November 4, 1805
... hs. on the Stard Side at 2 mils,
one at 3 mls.
One deer 2 Ducks & Brant killed
---
November 4th Monday 1805 A cloudy cool morning wind from the West we Set
out a...
Nov
30
1805
Lewis: November 30, 1805
...rants, haulks, ravens,
crows, gulls and a great variety of ducks, the canvas back, duckinmallard,
black and white diver, brown duck&c &c
Nov
30
1805
Clark: November 30, 1805
...t Could not git a Shot at them, The fowlers, killed 3 black ducks,
with white Sharp bills, a brown Spot in their foward, Some white under the
tail, which Short, a...
