Examination of dalmation pelicans (Pelecanus crispus) at Manyas Bird Paradise Siğirci river delta

Dalmation pelican (Pelecanus crispus) is a kind of bird whose propagation is limited from Europa to Mongolia, Paleartic region, food source is fish and generation is in danger at all over world. Pelican populations decrease rapidly and their distribution areas have become very narrow for the last 30 years because of fast industrial and agricultural developments and oppression of increasing human population. Reproduction areas of Dalmation pelican at Middle Anatolia were abandoned due to primarily, destruction of wetlands between late 1960s and 1980s, secondly, destroyed colonies by fishermen intentionally and hunting. However, as a result of national and international protection program in Europe, reduction was prevented in 1980s and while increases in some colonies were recorded, continuous decreases in some colonies were also observed in 1990s. In this study, Dalmation pelicans at (Manyas Bird Paradise Sığırcı River Delta were examined between 2005 and 2007. During this study, local and foreign literature about Dalmatian pelicans was examined with great attention at first, sources were scanned and necessary information was collected. As a result of this study, knowledge about biology, habitats and reproduction of Dalmatian pelicans at this area were determined. Also conditions like water pollution at the lake and rise of water level which affect Dalmation pelicans negatively were examined and some suggestions were presented for solution of these problems. In addition to this, it was determined that bird species which do not exist in the area like cormorant have been the dominant species as a result of resent developments.Key Words : Manyas Bird Paradise, Sığırcı Delta, Dalamation pelican,Pelecanus crispus