There are only 15 species of crane worldwide. These large, charismatic birds mate for life, dance for joy, and sing in unison.
Black-crowned crane – The king of the cranes
Black-crowned Crane – Balearica pavonina
Class: Aves
Territory: West Africa, Sudan and South Sudan
Diet: Grains, plants, insects
Lifespan: 20-30 years
Adult weight: 3-4 kg (7-9 lb)
Conservation status: Vulnerable
The black-crowned crane may be one of the smaller cranes but it is certainly the most regal, adorned with a large, yellow crown and smooth, black, velvety feathers on its head. This bird is unusual in the way it roosts; while most cranes are ground-dwelling creatures, the black-crowned crane is the only one known to take to the trees and build nests amongst the branches.
The cranes will search their surrounding area, looking for wetland edges where the best grasses and sedges grow, and use these to construct their nest. They hold an important place in Kenyan pastoralist (farming) culture, where they are highly regarded as messengers of peace.
Black-necked crane – The world’s only alpine crane is the master of predator avoidance
Black-necked crane – Grus nigricollis
Class: Aves
Territory: China, India, Bhutan
Diet: Roots, insects, snails
Lifespan: 20-30 years
Adult weight: 507 kg (11-15 lb)
Conservation status: Vulnerable
The sky is the limit for the black-necked crane; soaring high over the Himalayas, it is the only member of the family to spend its summers in alpine areas of extremely high elevations. It is a particularly cautious species and employs a number of stealthy defence tactics. Always foraging in groups with one standing sentinel, and nesting in large open areas of water, ensures they stay ahead of predators. They even settle
down to roost at night while standing on one leg in shallow water, so if predators do try and sneak up on them, they will be heard. They love to forage and spend around 75 per cent of their time searching for food and eating, and sometimes will travel several kilometres in a day.
Wattled crane – The nomadic member of the family
Wattled Crane – Bugeranus carunculatus
Class: Aves
Territory: Sub-Saharan Africa
Diet: Grasses, insects, fish
Lifespan: 20-30 years
Adult weight: 6-9 kg (14-20 lb)
Conservation status: Vulnerable
Most species coordinate their movements with the changing seasons, but this fussy drinker roams the wetlands looking for the best quality water. They typically prefer saturated areas and it’s not uncommon to find them congregating at flood sites. They are less house-proud than other species and their nests can be found at wetland edges more closely resembling a mass of crushed grass than a nest. Despite this, they are very territorial and nesting sites will always be kept a minimum of 500 metres (1,640 feet) apart. When compared to other crane species, the wattled crane makes for a dedicated parent. This species spends up to 36 days on average incubating their eggs, which is longer than any other crane.
Sandhill crane – This chatty crane has stood the test of time
Class: Aves
Territory: North America
Diet: Grains, small mammals, insects, reptiles
Lifespan: 20 years
Adult weight: 3-6 kg (7-13 lb)
Conservation status: Least concern
One of the more communicative species, the sandhill crane has a distinctive rolling cry that reverberates through the wetlands. They are able to convey meaning to one another through the length, strength, and volume of the calls they make, with different sounds being used for specific messages.
Sandhill cranes are one of the most ancient species in the family; fossils found from ten million years ago show that their physiology has changed very little in that time. Today, they are the most numerous and wide-ranging cranes in the world.
While many other cranes share nesting responsibilities, it is the male of this species that defends the nest. He will stand on guard looking out for any potential danger, ready to fight any unwanted visitors and protect his offspring.
Blue crane – Elegant but no less resilient
Blue crane – Anthropoides paradiseus
Class: Aves
Territory: South Africa, Namibia
Diet: Plants, insects, worms
Lifespan: 15 years
Adult weight: 3.5 kg (5.7 lb)
Conservation status: Vulnerable
Historically, this species was only found in areas of low disturbance, but that is no longer the case. Adapting to the changing environment it finds itself in, this hardy crane is now thriving in areas of highly transformed agricultural land. It is the national bird of South Africa, and holds particular cultural significance for the Xhosa people. Traditionally, when a man had proved himself in acts of valour, a chief decorated him with feathers from a blue crane. It was also believed that if you killed a blue crane, a member of your family would die.
The birds are migratory, but only within southern Africa, and generally migrate between varying altitudes rather than areas of changing climate. While many cranes have a clear preference for wetlands, the blue crane spends its time patrolling the dry, grassy uplands.
Brolga crane – The dancing crane from down under
Brolga Crane – Grus rubicundus
Class: Aves
Territory: Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea
Diet: Tubers, insects, molluscs
Lifespan: 20-25 years
Adult weight: 6 kg (13 lb)
Conservation status: Least concern
Australia’s native crane is a tall bird standing at 130 centimetres (4.3 feet), with greenish-grey skin and a body plumage that is light blue in colour. Amazingly, they have evolved to possess a special skill they do not share with any other crane. A specialised salt gland located near the eye allows the bird to excrete a concentrated salt solution from the salt water they drink. Almost like a built-in filter, it means they do not have to be too concerned with the quality of the water they drink. Once they have paired up with a mate, they usually bond for life, taking part in a display of affection where they will sing to each other, usually initiated by the female. When dancing, they will line up opposite each other, bowing and throwing their heads back while trumpeting wildly.
FACTS:
1. Tallest – Sarus crane
Standing at a towering 1.8m (5.9ft), the sarus crane is the tallest flying bird in the world, but is suffering from a loss of habitat.
2. Smallest – Demoiselle crane
The dance of the demoiselle crane has been likened to ballet. These pirouetting birds are clever too, and sometimes fake injury to distract predators from nests.
3. Longest migration – Siberian crane
This species migrates from northern Siberia to China, India or Iran, travelling up to 6,000km (3,730mi).
4. Rarest – Whooping crane.
Pushed to the brink of extinction in 1941, there were only 16 birds remaining. A strong effort has led to a limited recovery of 200 birds now living in the wild.
Herons are often mistaken for cranes and it’s easy to see why. Both are tall wading birds of a similar build, with spindly legs and long necks. Despite their similarities they are genetically different, with herons being part of the Ardeidae family. They can be differentiated in flight. Herons have a heavier head and curve their necks backwards onto their bodies during flight giving an ‘s’ shape, whereas cranes fly with their necks outstretched.