Dalmatian Pelican

The Dalmatian pelican (Pelecanus crispus) is the largest member of the pelican family, and perhaps the world's largest freshwater bird, although rivaled in weight and length by the largest swans. They are elegant soaring birds, with wingspans that rival that of the Great albatrosses, and their flocks fly in graceful synchrony. Dalmatian pelicans have stunning silvery-white plumage during the breeding season, which contrasts with the orange-red rubbery pouch beneath its bill and the purple to yellow bare skin around its eyes. On their napes, the birds have a thick silver crest of feathers. Over the breeding season, their pouches fade to a yellow color, and in winter their plumage loses its sheen of silver and appears whitish or gray instead. The bare skin around their eyes can vary from yellow to purplish in color.

General Information:

Common Name:Dalmatian Pelican
Scientific Name:Pelecanus crispus
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order:Pelicaniformes
Family:Pelicanidae

Description

The Dalmatian pelican (Pelecanus crispus) is the largest member of the pelican family, and perhaps the world's largest freshwater bird, although rivaled in weight and length by the largest swans. They are elegant soaring birds, with wingspans that rival that of the Great albatrosses, and their flocks fly in graceful synchrony. Dalmatian pelicans have stunning silvery-white plumage during the breeding season, which contrasts with the orange-red rubbery pouch beneath its bill and the purple to yellow bare skin around its eyes. On their napes, the birds have a thick silver crest of feathers. Over the breeding season, their pouches fade to a yellow color, and in winter their plumage loses its sheen of silver and appears whitish or gray instead. The bare skin around their eyes can vary from yellow to purplish in color.

Distribution

The range of Dalmatian pelicans ranges across much of Central Eurasia, from the Mediterranean in the West to the Taiwan Strait in the East, and from the Persian Gulf in the South to Siberia in the North. on ice-free lakes in Europe or jheels (seasonal lakes) in India. They also visit, typically during winter, inshore areas along sheltered coasts for feeding.

Habitat

It occurs mainly at inland, freshwater wetlands but also at coastal lagoons, river deltas and estuaries.  The species makes use of habitats surrounding its breeding sites, including nearby islands and wetlands.

Mating Habits

Dalmatian pelicans are serially monogamous and form pair bonds by year, not for life. Breeding starts in the west of the range in March and April, but it varies geographically. Two to four eggs are laid and are incubated by both parents for 31 days. Nestlings are helpless when born and for their first few weeks, their parents feed them. Fledging takes place between 60 to 90 days, with young being able to hunt independently at about 12 weeks. Chicks reach reproductive maturity when they are 30 months old or during the third year.

Diet

Dalmatian pelicans are carnivorous (piscivorous) birds that eat mainly fish, and also amphibians, small reptiles, and aquatic crustaceans.

Threats

Dalmatian pelicans were threatened in the past by wetland drainage, as well as being shot and persecuted by fishermen who regard them as competing with them for food.
In only a few areas, fishermen continue this threat, and there is some disturbance from tourists.
Habitat degradation from water pollution and wetland alteration is currently serious threats, compounded by the fishing industry’s over-exploitation of fish stocks and hunting by livestock herders in Mongolia.
Furthermore, the bill of this species has traditionally been used by Mongolian nomads for a pouch.

IUCN Status

Vulnerable