They are not strictly coloured black and white, despite their name Like all birds they have partly hollow bones that reduces their weight when flying. The effort to lift their huge bulk into the air requires a lot of energy and pelicans have evolved several features to make the process more energy efficient. As they are massive birds, Dalmatian pelicans spend more time on the water than in the air. With a wingspan over 2m and weighing up to 15kg they are one of the biggest flying birds in the world. Dalmatian pelicans are the largest of all pelican species The presence of the Dalmatian pelican in an area indicates a healthy ecosystem which in turn means more fish for fisherman and a more robust food chain. However conservation efforts aim to protect breeding and feeding sites and educate people on responsible wildlife tourism and the benefits the Dalmatian pelican provide to the ecosystem and mankind alike. More detrimental to their population however is disturbance and loss of nesting grounds as a result of wetland drainage and human encroachment. Females will lay between 1 to 2 eggs and when the chicks hatch, both parents will bring food back for the chicks to feed on.ĭespite having a relatively large distribution across Europe and Asia, the global population of the Dalmatian pelican has steadily been decreasing.Īs such large birds, they require appropriate water sources with abundant prey and man-made developments have reduced much of their hunting grounds. Male Dalmatian pelicans will bring materials to help build the nest while females are responsible for the actual construction. Nests are built on floating reeds and grass and are gradually held together by the pelicans’ droppings. Fish that escape the pelicans them become easy prey for other diving cormorants.īreeding colonies choose bodies of water that contain abundant prey as well as vegetation on which to build nests. By diving deep for fish, the cormorants bring fish closer to the surface where the pelicans can scoop them up. Unlike several other pelican species, the Dalmatian pelican frequently hunts in deeper water, where larger fish are more commonly found.Īs well as fishing in groups, these pelicans will also fish with a different bird species, such as the cormorant. When fishing for food, Dalmatian pelicans will usually work in groups to force fish into larger shoals, thus making it easier to scoop up more fish in one go. Even outside of the breeding season, Dalmatian pelicans are rarely seen alone and roost together in large flocks. However, they are highly opportunistic feeders and will also take frogs, lizards, crabs and lobsters, usually inadvertently when scooping up fish.ĭalmatian pelicans form monogamous bonds during the breeding season and choose a different mate the following year. Like most pelican species, the Dalmatian pelican lives on a diet that consists mainly of fish such as carp, mullet and eels. During the breeding season the Dalmatian pelican requires lakes or wetlands with floating grass and reeds to nest in and is particularly vulnerable to human disturbance in those areas. Loss and disturbance of nesting sites, hunting, overfishing and pollutionĪlthough this species migrates in some colder regions, they tend to only seasonally migrate and settle on the nearest ice-free bodies of water. Adults occasionally preyed upon by foxes and wild cats Mainly fish, but will opportunistically take amphibians, reptiles and crustaceansĮggs and chicks taken by animals, such as foxes, and wild boar. Lighter white-grey plumage on chest, huge yellowish bill and disheveled crest feathers on head These pelicans particularly thrive in undisturbed, natural wetlands which provide an ample food source, as well as vegetation cover.ĭalmatian Pelican Facts Overview Habitat:įreshwater wetlands, lakes, rivers and estuaries Dalmatian pelicans have a mostly grey-white plumage with black tipped wings and huge bills.Īt a length over 40cm, they have one of the longest bills of any bird species and during the breeding season, the lower bill or pouch turns deep orange to red.ĭalmatian pelicans are a predominantly freshwater dwelling bird, although they are also frequently seen on estuaries and river deltas. Their name derives from their supposed origin in Dalmatia, Croatia, although they are found across large parts of Europe and Asia. Considered to be one of the biggest freshwater birds in the world, the Dalmatian pelican boasts a wingspan of over 2 metres and can weigh up to 15 kilograms. The dalmatian pelican is a huge bird that is the largest of all the pelican species.
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