About this species
The Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus) is the largest of the world's eight pelican species, with a wingspan of up to 3.5 metres. Breeding adults have silvery-grey plumage, a curly nape, and a vivid orange-red pouch.
The species forms large, noisy breeding colonies on remote lake islands and reed mats, where it is highly sensitive to disturbance. In the CAF region, important breeding sites occur on lakes in Kazakhstan, Russia, and around the Caspian and Aral Seas.
After severe declines in the 20th century, populations in parts of Europe have recovered thanks to colony protection and artificial nesting platforms.