crane bird
1. Bird Name
English name: Crane
Scientific name: Grus grus
2. Appearance
Cranes are easily recognized by their long legs, long necks, and distinguished bill shape. Cranes are predominantly grey or white in color, with differing color markings depending upon the species. They often have a patch of bare, red skin on their heads. The beak is sharp and pointed, ideal for catching prey, and the eye color is usually gold or amber. In many Crane species, males and females look alike with no significant differences in color or size.
3. Size
On average, Cranes can range between 90-150 cm (35-59 inches) in height. The wingspan of a Crane can reach a stunning 180-250 cm (71-98 inches). Cranes are relatively light-weight as far as large birds go, with a weight range of 3-8 kg (6.6-17.6 lbs).
4. Habitat & Distribution
Cranes are found across the world, except in Antarctica and South America. Their preferred habitats vary dramatically, from wetlands and marshes to grasslands and even arid regions. Some species migrate long distances, especially from Asia and North America to Africa, while others remain in the same region year-round.
5. Interesting Facts
Fact 1: Cranes are magnificent dancers and their dances are often a part of their courtship ritual. They exhibit a wide range of moves, including bowing, jumping, running, and wing flapping.
Fact 2: Through many cultures and traditions, Cranes have been given significant cultural importance. In the Japanese culture, the Crane is a symbol of good fortune and longevity.
Fact 3: Cranes are known for their long-distance migrations, traveling thousands of kilometers to their breeding grounds.
6. Diet
Cranes have an omnivorous diet and they feed on a variety of foods including insects, fish, amphibians, and plant matter like roots and seeds. During the breeding season, they focus more on animal prey to ensure they have enough nutrients for their young ones.
7. Behavior & Sounds
Cranes are diurnal birds, active during the day, and they sleep at night. They communicate with a range of vocalizations, from low purrs to loud, trumpeting calls. Cranes are known for their distinctive bugling call, which is loud and resonant, often heard from miles away.
8. Conservation Status
The conservation status of the crane varies by species. Some, like the Whooping Crane and the Siberian Crane, are listed as endangered according to the IUCN Red List, while others, like the Sandhill Crane, have a status of least concern.
9. Lifespan
A Crane can live up to 20-30 years in the wild, and even longer in captivity, with the oldest known living crane on record having reached the age of 83.
10. Additional Notes
Interactions with humans have often been detrimental to cranes, especially with habitat loss being the major threat. Some communities have however implemented Crane conservation programs, like in Bhutan where the Black-necked Crane is deeply revered in cultural and religious traditions. Cranes play a vital role in the ecosystem, especially as a predator of insect pests and small vertebrates and in seed dispersal, contributing to biodiversity. They are often the first to leave a region if the ecosystem is not healthy and thus acts as a bioindicator species. In the Japanese language, the Crane is referred to as ‘Tsuru’.
