The Dalmatian pelican (Pelecanus crispus) name comes from the Dalmatia Coast of Croatia, where this species once thrived but have now disappeared from its native region. This elegant, soaring bird is the largest member of the pelican family and one of the world's largest freshwater birds – as heavy as a swan, with a wingspan similar to a great albatross. It has grey plumage compared to other species, and its wings are tipped with black. The Dalmatian pelican requires around 1,200 g (2.6 lb) of fish per day, which it finds in lakes, rivers, deltas and estuaries across central Eurasia. Despite migrating vast distances throughout Europe and Asia, Dalmatian pelicans usually return to the same breeding grounds over multiple years.
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