Pelecanus crispus; Print; The Dalmatian pelican (Pelecanus crispus) is the most massive member of the pelican family; and perhaps the world's largest freshwater bird; although rivaled in weight and length by the largest swans. They are elegant soaring birds; with wingspans that rival that of the great albatrosses; and their flocks fly in graceful synchrony. It is a short to medium distance migrant between breeding and overwintering areas. No subspecies are known to exist over its wide range; but based on size differences; a Pleistocene paleosubspecies; P. c. palaeocrispus; has been described from fossils recovered at Binagady; Azerbaijan.; 1834