Pelecanus crispus

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	AVES	PELECANIFORMES	PELECANIDAE

Scientific Name:

Pelecanus crispus

Species Authority:

Bruch, 1832

Common Name/s:

English	–	Dalmatian Pelican
Spanish	–	Pelícano Ceñudo, Pelícano Rizado

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Vulnerable A2ce+3ce+4ce ver 3.1

Year Published:

2008

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Butchart, S. & Symes, A.

Contributor/s:

Bugariu, S., Chan, S., Crivelli, A. & Pfister, O.

Justification:
Conservation measures have resulted in a population increase in Europe, particularly at the species's largest colony, at Lake Mikri Prespa in Greece. However, rapid population declines in the remainder of its range are suspected to be continuing and therefore the species is listed as Vulnerable.

History:

2006	–	Vulnerable
2004	–	Vulnerable
1996	–	Vulnerable
1994	–	Vulnerable

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Pelecanus crispus breeds in eastern Europe and east-central Asia, in Serbia and Montenegro, Albania, Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Ukraine, Mongolia, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. European breeders winter in the eastern Mediterranean countries, Russian and central Asian breeders in Iran, Iraq and the Indian subcontinent, and Mongolian birds along the east coast of China⁷, including Hong Kong (China). Following massive declines during the 19th and 20th centuries, numbers have stabilised between 10,000-20,000 individuals (including c.4,000-5,000 breeding pairs⁵) and several colonies are increasing^2,4. The majority of birds breed in the countries of the former Soviet Union (2,700-3,500 pairs)⁸, although the largest colony is at Lake Mikri Prespa, Greece, with nearly 1,000 breeding pairs⁴ and there are around 450 pairs in the Danube Delta¹². The Mongolian population continues to decline and is "almost extinct"¹⁰.
Countries:	Native: Afghanistan; Albania; Armenia; Azerbaijan; Bulgaria; China; Egypt; Georgia; Greece; Hong Kong; India; Iran, Islamic Republic of; Iraq; Israel; Kazakhstan; Kyrgyzstan; Lebanon; Moldova; Mongolia; Montenegro; Pakistan; Romania; Russian Federation; Russian Federation; Syrian Arab Republic; Tajikistan; Turkey; Turkmenistan; Ukraine; Uzbekistan Possibly extinct: Bangladesh Vagrant: Algeria; Cyprus; Czech Republic; Italy; Japan; Korea, Republic of; Kuwait; Latvia; Norway; Oman; Poland; Slovakia; Spain; Taiwan, Province of China; United Arab Emirates; Western Sahara Present - origin uncertain: Serbia; Sri Lanka
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	4,350-4,800 individuals in Black Sea and Mediterranean; 6,000-9,000 individuals in SE Asia and S Asia (both estimates from Crivelli et al. (2000), updated by unpublished information supplied by Wetlands International Specialist Groups to Wetlands International (2006); 50 individuals in E. Asia (Mix and Braunlich 2000, Simba Chan in litt. 2005)
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	Behaviour This species is dispersive in Europe, and migratory in Asia¹⁴. It starts to breed in late March or April¹⁴, sometimes solitarily but usually in dense colonies of up to 250 pairs^14,16. Adults form monogamous pair bonds⁷. It departs from the colonies between the end of July and September, although a few remain until November¹⁵. It is gregarious during the winter, often occurring in large flocks and foraging communally and cooperatively in small groups¹⁶, although occasionally singly¹⁶. The birds return to their breeding sites in late-January to April, depending on the region¹⁵. Immature birds and non-breeders may remain in the wintering grounds year round¹⁵, or may stay with the breeding colonies¹⁶. They are often nomadic, especially in the Caspian Sea¹⁵. Habitat It occurs mainly at inland, freshwater wetlands but also at coastal lagoons, river deltas and estuaries^2,7,8,14. Breeding It breeds on small islands in freshwater lakes¹⁴ or in dense aquatic vegetation¹⁴ such as reedbeds of Typha and Phragmites^1,8,9,14 , often in hilly terrain¹⁵. A few breed in Mediterranean coastal lagoons^8,15. The species makes use of habitats surrounding its breeding sites, including nearby islands and wetlands¹⁵. Non-breeding On migration, large lakes form important stop-over sites¹⁵. It typically winters on jheels and lagoons in India, and ice-free lakes in Europe¹⁴. It sometimes fishes inshore along sheltered coasts¹⁴. Diet It feeds almost entirely on fish, especially carp Cyprinus carpio, perch Perca fluviatilis, rudd scardinius erythrophthalmus, roach Rutilus rutilus, and pike Esox lucius in freshwater wetlands¹⁴, and eels, mullet, gobies and shrimps in brackish waters^1,8. In its winter quarters on the Nile it takes mostly Siluridae¹⁵. In the Mikri Prespa breeding colony in Greece it feeds predominantly on the endemic fish species Chalcalburnus belvica¹⁸. Breeding site Most nests are situated amongst aquatic vegetation on floating or stationary islands isolated from the mainland to avoid mammalian predators^{1, 8, 9}. They are occasionally built on open ground^5,6,15. Nests usually consist of a pile of reeds, grass and sticks approximately 1m high and 0.5-1.5m in diameter^14,15. It often tramples the vegetation between nests, and does not tend to nest in areas where such activities would generate deep mud¹⁵. The trampling activity damages the islands and therefore limits the number of years for which an island can be used for breeding¹⁷. On average sites in Greece were found to be used for three years in succession¹⁷. Artificial islands have proved successful as breeding sites in the past⁹.
Systems:	Terrestrial; Freshwater; Marine

Habitat and Ecology:

Behaviour This species is dispersive in Europe, and migratory in Asia¹⁴. It starts to breed in late March or April¹⁴, sometimes solitarily but usually in dense colonies of up to 250 pairs^14,16. Adults form monogamous pair bonds⁷. It departs from the colonies between the end of July and September, although a few remain until November¹⁵. It is gregarious during the winter, often occurring in large flocks and foraging communally and cooperatively in small groups¹⁶, although occasionally singly¹⁶. The birds return to their breeding sites in late-January to April, depending on the region¹⁵. Immature birds and non-breeders may remain in the wintering grounds year round¹⁵, or may stay with the breeding colonies¹⁶. They are often nomadic, especially in the Caspian Sea¹⁵. Habitat It occurs mainly at inland, freshwater wetlands but also at coastal lagoons, river deltas and estuaries^2,7,8,14. Breeding It breeds on small islands in freshwater lakes¹⁴ or in dense aquatic vegetation¹⁴ such as reedbeds of Typha and Phragmites^1,8,9,14 , often in hilly terrain¹⁵. A few breed in Mediterranean coastal lagoons^8,15. The species makes use of habitats surrounding its breeding sites, including nearby islands and wetlands¹⁵. Non-breeding On migration, large lakes form important stop-over sites¹⁵. It typically winters on jheels and lagoons in India, and ice-free lakes in Europe¹⁴. It sometimes fishes inshore along sheltered coasts¹⁴. Diet It feeds almost entirely on fish, especially carp Cyprinus carpio, perch Perca fluviatilis, rudd scardinius erythrophthalmus, roach Rutilus rutilus, and pike Esox lucius in freshwater wetlands¹⁴, and eels, mullet, gobies and shrimps in brackish waters^1,8. In its winter quarters on the Nile it takes mostly Siluridae¹⁵. In the Mikri Prespa breeding colony in Greece it feeds predominantly on the endemic fish species Chalcalburnus belvica¹⁸. Breeding site Most nests are situated amongst aquatic vegetation on floating or stationary islands isolated from the mainland to avoid mammalian predators^{1, 8, 9}. They are occasionally built on open ground^5,6,15. Nests usually consist of a pile of reeds, grass and sticks approximately 1m high and 0.5-1.5m in diameter^14,15. It often tramples the vegetation between nests, and does not tend to nest in areas where such activities would generate deep mud¹⁵. The trampling activity damages the islands and therefore limits the number of years for which an island can be used for breeding¹⁷. On average sites in Greece were found to be used for three years in succession¹⁷. Artificial islands have proved successful as breeding sites in the past⁹.

Systems:

Terrestrial; Freshwater; Marine

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Former declines were primarily caused by wetland drainage, shooting and persecution by fishers^1,2,7. Continuing threats include disturbance from tourists and fishers, wetland alteration and destruction, water pollution, collision with overhead power-lines and over-exploitation of fish stocks^3,5,7. Organochloride residues including DDT have been recorded in high levels in the eggs of this species and those of its prey¹⁹. Hunting by herders (for traditional use of the bill) continues to threaten the Mongolian population⁷. Nest predation by wild boar at times of low water levels is the most important threat to the Bulgarian breeding colony¹³. The breeding colonies in Mediterranean lagoons in Albania and Turkey are threatened by coastal developments and the alteration of the functioning of the lagoons⁸.

Major Threat(s):

Former declines were primarily caused by wetland drainage, shooting and persecution by fishers^1,2,7. Continuing threats include disturbance from tourists and fishers, wetland alteration and destruction, water pollution, collision with overhead power-lines and over-exploitation of fish stocks^3,5,7. Organochloride residues including DDT have been recorded in high levels in the eggs of this species and those of its prey¹⁹. Hunting by herders (for traditional use of the bill) continues to threaten the Mongolian population⁷. Nest predation by wild boar at times of low water levels is the most important threat to the Bulgarian breeding colony¹³. The breeding colonies in Mediterranean lagoons in Albania and Turkey are threatened by coastal developments and the alteration of the functioning of the lagoons⁸.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway CITES Appendix I. CMS Appendix I and II. Conservation efforts have reduced the impact of the major threats in Europe². Marking and dismantling of power-lines², the provision of breeding platforms in Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria and Romania and rafts in Greece and Bulgaria, together with wardening⁶, water level management and education programmes at key sites, have reduced mortality and increased breeding success. A European action plan was published in 1996¹². Conservation Actions Proposed Monitor breeding, wintering numbers and ecological changes at key sites. Survey potential wintering grounds in central and east Asia. Sustainably manage wetlands. Establish wardened non-intrusion zones around breeding colonies. Bury power-lines or replace with more visible cable. Seek alternatives to traditional use of pelican bills in Mongolia⁶. Legally protect the species and its habitat in range states. Conduct public awareness campaigns and mediate potential conflicts with fishermen. Prevent poaching and overexploitation of fish.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix I. CMS Appendix I and II. Conservation efforts have reduced the impact of the major threats in Europe². Marking and dismantling of power-lines², the provision of breeding platforms in Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria and Romania and rafts in Greece and Bulgaria, together with wardening⁶, water level management and education programmes at key sites, have reduced mortality and increased breeding success. A European action plan was published in 1996¹².

Conservation Actions Proposed
Monitor breeding, wintering numbers and ecological changes at key sites. Survey potential wintering grounds in central and east Asia. Sustainably manage wetlands. Establish wardened non-intrusion zones around breeding colonies. Bury power-lines or replace with more visible cable. Seek alternatives to traditional use of pelican bills in Mongolia⁶. Legally protect the species and its habitat in range states. Conduct public awareness campaigns and mediate potential conflicts with fishermen. Prevent poaching and overexploitation of fish.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2008. Pelecanus crispus. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 24 May 2012.
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