Atlas of nesting birds in Bulgaria

Great White Pelican

(Pelecanus onocrotalus)

Category of conservation concern (IUCN, 2020) – Least Concern

Population size: 2020: 0 – 9 pairs (2007: 0 – 2 pairs)

Distribution pattern

A rare breeding species with a small population. In different years, several pairs have nested at Srebarna Lake and in the swamp Peschina on the island of Persin (Belene). Colonial species. In 2000, two pairs built their nests in the colony of Pelecanus crispus in the Srebarna Lake, one successfully raising offspring. Non-breeding individuals and flocks remain throughout the breeding season in the Burgas wetlands and some other water bodies.

Population estimation for the period 2013 – 2020:  In 2017, a new pair was found nesting on Persin Island, but she failed to raise offspring.  Breeding on the Persin Island is the result of conservation activities – artificial breeding platforms for pelicans. 

Population size in Special Protection Areas of Natura 2000: 0 – 9 pairs (100% of the population). The number of the breeding population in the Srebarna Protected Area is 0 – 5 pairs, and in the Belenski Ostrovi Complex Protected Area – 0 – 4 pairs.

Big size map

Breeding distribution 2013 – 2020 – The distribution and the estimation of the population size of the species for the period 2013 – 2020 is presented –

Comparative distribution of the species compared to the first breeding birds atlas (Iankov, 2007): Breeding locality until 2007 | Breeding locality until 2007, confirmed after 2015 – | New breeding locality after 2015. – The breeding localities after 2015 are identified on a base of raw data from smartbirds.org.

Habitats

Breeds in bogs and marshes – in water-fringe vegetation. The forage habitat during the breeding season are standing fresh waters. The presence of the species in the proximity of these two habitats is a typical feature of the traditional, century old breeding sites.

Trends in population changes for the period 2013-2020

Short-term trend of population size:

No clear trend

Long-term trend of population size:

No clear trend

Short-term trend of distribution:

No clear trend

Long-term trend of distribution:

No clear trend

Threats

Drainage of wetlands, changes in the water level and in the hydrological regime of water bodies during the breeding season, disturbance, poaching, highly pathogenic avian influenza A (influenza A) – H5N1, collisions with power lines and wind power generators, terrestrial predators and invasive species.

Svilen Chesmedjiev, Irina Kostadinova