Dalmatian Pelican vs Spot-billed Pelican

Dalmatian Pelican

Pelecanus crispus

Huge9.5 kgWetland

The Dalmatian pelican is the largest of all pelican species and one of the heaviest flying birds in the world, with a body length of 1.6–1.8 m (5 ft 3 in – 5 ft 11 in), a wingspan typically ranging between 2.7–3.2 m (8 ft 10 in – 10 ft 6 in)., and an average weight of about 9.5 kg (21 lb). The species is most easily recognised by its enormous bill, which typically measures between 37 and 45 cm (15 and 18 in) long and includes a large pouch used for catching fish.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Thomas Bresson · CC BY 2.0

Spot-billed Pelican

Pelecanus philippensis

Huge5.0 kgWetland

The spot-billed pelican is a rather large water bird, often the largest or one of the largest native birds in the southern stretches of its range, albeit it is fairly small for a pelican. It is 125–152 cm (49–60 in) long and a weight of 4.1–6 kg (9.0–13.2 lb). The wingspan can vary from 213 to 250 cm (7 ft 0 in to 8 ft 2 in) while the typically large beak measured from 285 to 355 mm (11.2 to 14.0 in). It is mainly white, with a grey crest, hindneck and a brownish tail. The feathers on the hind neck are curly and form a greyish nape crest.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Daniel S. Katz · CC BY 4.0

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Dalmatian Pelican and Spot-billed Pelican.