Common Crane
1. Bird Name
Common Crane (Grus grus)
2. Appearance
The Common Crane is a tall and elegant bird species known for its distinct coloration and pattern. The plumage is primarily grey and white, with subtle pinkish hues on the upper body. Singularly unique are the Black, elongated feathers located on the tail. The bird’s head is striking, with a white and red patch extending from the eyes to the back of the head, disrupted by a jet-black streak flowing from the eye to the back. The bill, long and pointed, is pale with a pinkish tinge. There’s little visual distinction between males and females, both sharing the same colors and pattern. A less common feature includes a golden crest atop their heads.
3. Size
Common Cranes range from 100 to 130 cm in height and boast a broad wingspan of 180 to 240 cm. A lean bird, they weigh around 4.5 to 6 kg.
4. Habitat & Distribution
These birds are found across parts of Europe and Asia, scattered in different regions such as Germany, Spain, Russia, China, and Mongolia. During winter, they migrate to North Africa, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent. Adopting a preference for wetlands, they also dwell in grasslands and marshes.
5. Interesting Facts
One interesting fact about the Common Crane is its notable dancing ritual. This display is most frequent during the breeding season but can occur at any time and is a social activity in crane society. Another fun fact about these birds is their substantial migratory journeys, traveling thousands of kilometers between summer and winter habitats. Historically, Cranes were seen as harbingers of spring and became symbols of happiness and long life in many cultures.
6. Diet
The Common Crane has a versatile diet consisting of seeds, roots, leaves, berries, insects, small birds, amphibians, rodents and, occassionally, crop grains.
7. Behavior & Sounds
They build large nests using plant materials in wetlands and lay around 2 eggs. These birds are renowned for their far-reaching call, a loud, resonant, and trumpeting sound that carries over large distances, usually given in flight or from the ground during their display dances.
8. Conservation Status
The Common Crane is classified as “Least Concern” according to the IUCN Red List. It’s been able to rebound successfully from previous lows thanks to conservation efforts.
9. Lifespan
A Common Crane can live up to 20 years in the wild, although some tagged individuals have been recorded to live beyond 30 years. In captivity, with optimal care, their lifespan can extend up to 40 years.
10. Additional Notes
Locally, the bird is known as “Grulla Común” in Spanish, “Kranich” in German, and “Zhuravl” in Russian. They tend to keep their distance from humans. However, in locations where hunting is not permitted, they can become approachable. Ecosystem-wise, they play an essential role as a predator of small mammals and insects and scatter seeds through their feces, helping in plant dispersion. They also create habitat for other species by their habit of pulling up large amounts of vegetation for feeding and nest building.
