Description
This huge bird is the largest of the pelicans and one of the largest living bird species. It measures 160 to 183 cm (5 ft 3 in to 6 ft 0 in) in length, 9β15 kg (20β33 lb) in weight and 290β351 cm (9 ft 6 inβ11 ft 6 in) in wingspan. With a mean weight of around 11.5 kg (25 lb), it is the world's heaviest flying bird species on average although large male bustards and swans can exceed the pelican in maximum weight. It also appears to have one of the largest wingspans of any living bird, rivaling those of the great albatrosses.
The somewhat similar-looking Great White Pelican is typically slightly smaller but the largest male individuals can be essentially the same size as a typical Dalmatian. However, the Dalmatian differs from this other very large species in that it has curly nape feathers, grey legs and silvery-white (rather than pure white) plumage. In winter, adult pelicans of this species go from silvery-gray to a dingier brownish-gray cream color. Immature birds are grey and lack the pink facial patch of immature White Pelicans. The loose feathers around the forehead of the Dalmatian Pelican can form a W-like-shape on the face right above the bill. In the breeding season it has an orange-red lower mandible and pouch against a yellow upper mandible. In winter, the whole bill is a somewhat dull yellow. The bill, at 36 to 45 cm (14 to 18 in) long, is the second largest of any bird, after the Australian Pelican. The bare skin around the eye can vary from yellow to purplish in color. Among standard measurements, compared to the Great White Pelican, the Dalmatian's tarsus is slightly shorter, at 11.6 to 12.2 cm (4.6 to 4.8 in), but its tail and wing chord length are notably larger, at 22 to 24 cm (8.7 to 9.4 in) long and 68 to 80 cm (27 to 31 in), respectively. When the Dalmatian Pelican is in in flight, unlike other pelicans, the wings are all grayish-white but for black wing tips. While on the wing, it is an elegant soaring bird and, if in a flock, all the members of it will move in graceful synchrony. The neck is then held back like a heron's in flight. It is the largest surviving creature that can fly.
The Dalmatian Pelican is often silent, as are most pelicans, although it can be fairly vocal during the mating season. At this time, birds may engage in a wide range of guttural, deep vocalisations including barks, hisses and grunts.
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