Afghanistan (NB) (P), Albania (B) (NB), Algeria (P), Armenia (B), Azerbaijan (B) (NB) (P), Bangladesh (E) (NB), Bosnia and Herzegovina (E), Bulgaria (B) (NB) (P), China (mainland) (NB), Croatia (Local Name: Hrvatska) (E) (NB), Egypt (NB), Georgia (NB) (P), Germany (E), Greece (B) (NB) (P), Hong Kong (China) (NB), India (NB), Iran [Islamic Republic of] (B) (NB), Iraq (NB), Kazakhstan (B), Kyrgyzstan (P), Lebanon (P), Macedonia [The Former Yugoslav Republic of] (E) (B) (NB) (P), Moldova [Republic of] (NB), Mongolia (B), Montenegro (B) (NB), Pakistan (NB), Romania (B) (NB) (P), Russia (Asian) (B), Russia (Central Asian) (B) (P), Russia (European) (B) (NB) (P), Serbia (B) (NB), Spain (NB), Syrian Arab Republic (P), Turkey (B) (NB), Turkmenistan (B), Ukraine (B) (P), Uzbekistan (B).
Vagrant to Cyprus, Czech Republic, Hungary (E) (B), Israel (NB), Italy, Japan, Kuwait (NB), Latvia, Norway, Poland, Slovakia (Slovak Republic), South Korea, Taiwan (China), Tajikistan, United Arab Emirates, Western Sahara.
Breeds Yugoslavia to China, c. 30° 50° N; winters Greece to China, typically in Balkans, southern Caspian Sea, floodplains of Indus and Ganges.
Rarity Status
Currently this species is not classified as a rarity in this country OR information has not been updated.
Population
Estimated population is 10,000 - 13,900 (2010) and decreasing.
Status NT
Habitat destruction and degradation through wetland drainage, shooting and persecution, disturbance from tourists and fishers, water pollution, collision with overhead power-lines and over-exploitation of fish stocks are the main threats.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Food
Almost entirely fish. Also eels, mullet, gobies and shrimps.
Voice
Barking, hissing and grunting calls at colonies.
Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus) [XC331137]
by id from Comuna Pardina, Jude\u021bul Tulcea, Romania (alarm call)
Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus) [XC137864]
by Marco Dragonetti from Srebarna, Silistra, Silistra, Bulgaria (begging call, call)
Nest
A pile of reeds, grass and sticks, located amongst aquatic vegetation on floating or stationary islands isolated from the mainland. In colonies.
Subspecies
Has been considered subspecies of Spot-billed Pelican (Pelecanus philippensis), but is quite distinct in morphology and nesting habits.
No subspecies.
Similar Species
Great White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus) which is slightly smaller, has pinkish-white plumage and a yellow gular pouch, more extensive bare skin around eye, downward hanging crest, pink legs and all-dark flight feathers.
References
See References.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet