Pelly’s mom!!!
This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share a commission.It has been an exciting day here on the Mississippi River in Fairport, Iowa!
Look who showed up!

The river is going down and I’ve been getting worried as the road in front of our house has just a little water on it and some people are starting to drive through it. That had me worried about our young pelican. I was also waiting to hear if there was someplace that we could take Pelly and then……..another White Pelican showed up!
White Pelicans never come in close by shore here. My sister-in-law saw the new one and let me know. Pelly walked over by this one but when it swam back out in the river…..Pelly went a little way and then came back to shore.
About that time I got a call from the conservationist letting me know that there was nowhere that could take in a young pelican. The only suggestion was if we were willing…..to keep feeding it. I told him that 15 minutes earlier another one showed up which surprised even him. Pelly has been here since July 4th.
I have no idea if this is Pelly’s mom, the beak is longer and it has all of its feathers….we haven’t seen it fly though. The “mom” came back to shore and joined Pelly on the sand pile. We are wondering if we now have 2 pelicans staying with us or will she get Pelly to go with her.
Early this morning a bunch of Canadian geese came up by the house but Pelly had no interest in them and they ignored our pelican.
While Pelly and his “mom” were getting acquainted, the Mallard ducks were busy getting worms along the road. Yes, that is our road in front of the house!
Hopefully, this story will come to an end soon……and a good one!!
Enter Pelly in the search bar for more posts of him.
ahh Pelly! hope it was the mom, nice I can keep reading now 🙂
Hope she's not trying to abduct him! Better interview her!
Hope this is your happy ending
so happy that there is an older bird to show Pellie the ways of the bird world. thanks for keeping the world posted on your birding adventure. I'm enjoying experiencing a piece of your river life.
I have been following your pelican story and this could be your happy ending. What a great event to see.Keep us informed.
Come on Pelly and Pelly's MOM were cheering for you!!!!
Pelly's adult feathers are really starting to come in! Must be all your good feeding! Please keep taking care of this little beauty, especially if you don't see "Mom" feeding him…You're nearly there! It looks to me like he'll be ready to fly in another week to ten days (I raise birds as a hobby, so kind of know what to look for). Pelly is beautiful…
Oh, I saw your other post before I saw this one. So sad that there isn't anyone to take Pelly and the big birds have left him behind.
Didn't you say you would need up to 4 lbs of fish a day to feed Pelly? Hopefully that is Pelly's mama and you have not become the new squadron headquarters.
THis is so great! Whether this is his mom or not, at least it's one of his own kind. I sure hope they make a bond and stay together. Still praying……
Oh, I do so hope this is his mom!! Keep the updates coming!
Hi Connie! Oh what a adventure! I do hope that it's Pelly's mom and they leave together. x Teje
Well what a surprise!! Hope it is Mum and Pelly follows her to get a feed, save you fishing every day.
Pelly and Pelican Mom must be very grateful for you and your tender loving care. Keep fishing and feeding my dear…
this story keeps getting more interesting!
Oh no. I hope this is the Momma or you will definitely be needing more fish. LOTS more fish.
I was wondering if you may find more youngsters. So good to hear about the mom, I hope that she starts feeding him!
I do so hope that your new pelican will bond with pelly and they both swim off together! sorry that the conservation office has been help to you
This just gets better and better! What fun. I hope it turns out okay.
So much fun! 🙂 🙂
Oh my goodness…….think of all the fishing that will be needed if they both decide to take up residence there!!!! I do hope that the young one will learn the fishing techniques from the older one and be able to fend for itself. This is such an exciting story!! I am loving it.