Depending on which version of the Bible you use, “Pelican” is not always used in one, but shows up in another. That is what makes “birdwatching the Scriptures” so interesting. Take for instance Isaiah 34:11:

But the pelican and the porcupine shall possess it, Also the owl and the raven shall dwell in it. And He shall stretch out over it The line of confusion and the stones of emptiness. (NKJV)

Using e-Sword Free Bible Program’s” compare feature, observe these differences.
Pelican and porcupine – ASV, NKJV, RV
Pelican and hedgehog – NASB, NAS77, YLT
Pelican and bittern – Darby, JPS
Pelican and herons – GW
Cormorant and bittern – KJV, MKJV, Webster
Hawk and porcupine – ESV
Owls and ravens only mentioned – GNB
Owls, hawks, and wild animals – CEV
Birds of the waste land – BBE

Another interesting verse:

Flocks will lie down in her midst, All beasts which range in herds; Both the pelican and the hedgehog Will lodge in the tops of her pillars; Birds will sing in the window, Desolation will be on the threshold; For He has laid bare the cedar work. (Zephaniah 2:14 NASB)

This verse uses pelican, raven, hedgehog, owl, cormorant depending on the version.

When Nave’s Topical Bible‘s – Pelican and Torrey’s Topical Textbook‘s – Birds are referenced, it appears that they used the King James Version (KJV).

I also love to watch the pelicans skim over the water and also fly in formation like a squadron of bombers. I have included two videos of them skimming. Visit the Pelican Videos and Photos for more. See the Sidebar.

*All photos used with permission.

Pelican in flight in Cuba
Another by arlens47 that “Follows the flight of a pelican as he starts to go out to sea, then reverses course and lands in the water off the coast of Santa Cruz, California. Background music is Thorn Birds Theme by the Joe Reisman Orchestra.
Flight of the Pelican