Wattled Crane

Bugeranus carunculatus

There are 15 species of Crane in the world, and we've talked about a few of them already-- tall, elegant birds that are symbols of luck and serve as national icons. (On a side note, you can see all fifteen Crane species in one place at the International Crane Foundation in Baraboo, WI. I'll make it out there one of these days...)

Anyway, today's Crane is a little less... beautiful... than some of its relatives. But it is still a very statuesque bird, albeit one with some interesting facial features. The Wattled Crane, as I'm sure you can deduce, has a red, warty-looking wattle that hands down from its neck and beak. Though its face is a little different, it still has the same long legs and feathers possessed by members of its family. (The tail feathers are so long they nearly touch the ground!)

Wattled Crane

Wattled Cranes are actually the tallest Cranes in Africa, and the second tallest Cranes in the world-- they can stand as high as 6" (1.8m). They also sport an 8.5ft (2.6m) wingspan. You'll find them living in the wetlands of Sub-Saharan countries, with the largest groups found in Zambia, and in Botswana's Okavango Delta.

The Wattled Cranes, like all Cranes, are omnivores. They feed on insects, grains, seeds, amphibians, and aquatic plants. Also in true Crane fashion, they perform elaborate courtship rituals and pair bonding dances. They jump, flap, bow, and vocalize during these performances. Wattled Cranes mate for life, and live in small flocks. They build nests on the ground, and lay only one egg or two each season (though usually only one will survive).

Sadly, the Wattled Crane is a Vulnerable species. Because they are so Wetland dependent (other African Cranes are more terrestrial) they are especially susceptible to habitat loss due to draining and development. There are around 8,000 left in the wild.

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IUCN Status : Vulnerable

Location : Africa
Size : Height up to 6ft (1.8m), Wingspan up to 8.5ft (2.6m)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Gruiformes
Family : Gruidae -- Genus : Bugeranus-- Species : B. carunculatus

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Red-crowned Crane

Grus japonensis

The Red-crowned Crane is a large species of bird that can be found in the rivers and marshes of East Asia. They are the heaviest of the Crane species, and are also the most aquatic; they live, breed, nest, and feed there. The Crane's diet consists of fish, insects, amphibians, and a wide variety of reeds and aquatic grasses.

Red-crowned Cranes are also sometimes referred to as Japanese or Manchurian Cranes. They are symbols of peace, long life, and fidelity in their native countries, and have long been represented in folklore and art. These birds are popular icons in Japanese wedding ceremonies, as the Cranes form lifelong monogamous pairs that frequently dance and sing to one another. They were also designated as one of Japan's National Animals in 1952.

Despite the reverence and persistence in culture and folklore, the Red-crowned Crane almost went extinct during the 20th century. Hunting, habitat loss, and devastation caused by World War II reduced the Japanese population down to only a handful of birds, and similar threats damaged populations elsewhere.

The species is now protected in Japan, South Korea, North Korea, and Russia. Other conservation efforts include the creation of supplemental feeding stations and the installation of bird-visible power lines. The population is rebounding, but wetland drainage and development continue to pose threats. Interestingly, the Demilitarized Zone has become a popular spot for these birds, but the fragile political nature of that area could cause the birds to lose this now human-free habitat.

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IUCN Status : Endangered
Location : East Asia
Size : Height up to 62in (1.6m), Weight up to 22lbs (10kg)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Gruiformes
Family : Gruidae -- Genus : Grus -- Species : G. japonensis

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Demoiselle Crane

Anthropoides virgo

Demoiselle Cranes are the smallest members of the Crane family, and are also one of the most common species. They live in Central Asia in grassland and steppe habitats.

The common name for the species actually was bestowed upon the birds by Marie Antoinette.  When some of the Cranes were brought to her in France, she named them for their delicate and ladylike appearance. "Demoiselle" translates to "Damsel."

Demoiselle Cranes are migratory birds, and live in very large flocks when they travel. Once they have reached their breeding grounds, however, they pair off (they mate for life) and become territorial. The mated Cranes strengthen their bonds with one another through song, exhibiting a behavior called unison calling. They are also very enthusiastic dancers, and engage in ballets with their mates. They also dance to attract mates, to relieve tension, and to develop motor skills when young. The Cranes also communicate through a variety of calls, and their voices are low and raspy.

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IUCN Status : Least Concern

Location : Central Asia
Size : Length up to 39in (1m), Wingspan up to 71in (1.8m)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Gruiformes
Family : Gruidae -- Genus : Anthropoides -- Species : A. virgo

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Sandhill Crane

Yesterday a couple of these birds showed up at my parents' house. Drove the dog crazy. At any rate, we quickly found out that they were Sandhill Cranes, some of the largest and most widespread Cranes in the entire world. They can be found across North America, in both year round and migrating populations. A Subspecies can also be found in eastern Siberia. There are about half a dozen location-based subspecies overall.

Sandhill Cranes are very tall, sporting a body length of up to 45in (1.1m). They have distinctive red caps and grey bodies that turn more brown during the breeding season (like those in the backyard).

Sandhill Cranes live, breed, and feed in grassland and wetland areas. They will eat just about anything, from snakes, to worms, to tubers dug up from the ground.

Pairs mate for life, and live together year round. During mating they practice "unison calling," which is an interesting coordinated duet. After mating a huge nest is built on the ground near water, using any materials the birds can find. Two eggs are laid at a time, and the female incubates while the male guards the nest. The chicks are very self sufficient at birth, and grow quickly (they fledge after about two months). Parents will then migrate along with their offspring, teaching them where to go. Interestingly, around 75% of all migrating Sandhill Cranes used the same 75 mile stretch of Nebraska's Platte River as a migratory staging area!

Because they are so common, Sandhill Cranes on the whole are not at risk. However, habitat loss has can have a massive effect on the species (especially when you consider the staging areas). Some of the southern subspecies are becoming quite rare. The Mississippi Sandhill Crane, for example, has a population of only a few hundred birds.

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IUCN Status : Least Concern

Location : North America, Siberia

Size : Wingspan up to 7ft (2.1m)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Gruiformes
Family : Gruidae -- Genus : Grus -- Species : G. canadensis

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Whooping Crane

The Whooping Crane has a quite remarkable story. In the Pleistocene, these birds had a range that covered a vast area of North America. When westward expansion began in the 19th century, unregulated hunting and loss of habitat caused numbers to dwindle. By 1941, there were only sixteen birds left. Since then, multiple efforts have been made to both protect existing birds, and to create new migratory flocks. The only naturally occurring flock left migrates between Wood Buffalo National Park in the Northwest Territories, Canada and Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in Texas. An additional route has been established between Wisconsin and Florida.

Whooping Cranes are the tallest birds in North America. They stand at about five feet, and possess a seven and a half foot wingspan. Aside from its dark legs, beak, and facial markings, the adult Whooping Crane is entirely white. They are named for their whooping call, which is instrumental in the mating process. Mated pairs will sing duets together, while additional calls are made by nesting birds to announce their territory. They live in marshland areas, and are omnivorous. Whooping Cranes feed off of a variety of different things including plants, crustaceans, fish, and insects.

(Image Source)

But lets go back to those reintroduction efforts. There are now, as of January 2010, 551 Whooping Cranes in the wild and in captivity. One of the most interesting things I learned about this process is that ultra-light planes have been used to lead young Cranes in the Eastern Migratory Population from their birthplaces in Wisconsin down to their wintering grounds in Florida. In the spring, the young birds are able to make the flight back to Wisconsin unassisted. In a side note, there was also, briefly in the 1970s and 80s, an effort to integrate young Whooping Cranes with Sandhill Cranes, and form a migratory population that ran from Idaho to New Mexico. Unfortunately this program was unsuccessful and has been discontinued.

While Whooping Cranes are now protected from hunting and egg collection, habitat loss is still a threat, as the wetlands continue to diminish. While the current populations live in protected areas, their isolation could prove disastrous should a major environmental change affect that specific area.

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Blue Crane

World Cup 2010 has begun, and unless you've been living under a rock, you're probably aware that it is taking place in South Africa, the first time it has ever been held on that continent. So in honor of this grand event, I present the national bird of South Africa: the Blue Crane. I had debated doing a write-up on the Springbok, their national animal, (and Rugby mascot) but I feel like I cover deer/antelope species far too often, so I'm going to put that one off till a later date (the finals perhaps?)

Image from Iyuefra.com

Anyway, less musing, more birds. 99% of all Blue Cranes (Anthropoides paradisea) are found within South Africa. They have the most restricted distribution of any crane species. They live in grassland areas, and sometimes use wetlands for breeding and roosting. Blue Cranes are a medium sized crane, standing about four feet tall and weighing in at eleven pounds. (In comparison, the largest crane, and also the largest flying bird, is the Sarus Crane. It stands 5.9 feet tall) They are bluish-grey in color, with black winds and legs. There is no distinction between the males and females of the species. Interestingly, the Blue Crane is the only crane that does not have the color red on it.

Blue Cranes reach breeding age at 3-4 years. They mate for life and the partners will rarely leave visual range of one another. Like other species of crane, Blue Crane mates engage in unison calling. It is believed that these calls and movements serve a variety of purposes outside of courtship, including motor development adn tension release. But anyway, back to breeding. They prefer to nest on the ground, in grassy areas where their eggs can be hidden. 2-3 eggs are laid at a time.

Poisoning from agriculture, and loss and alteration of habitats has placed the Blue Crane as vulnerable. The South African government and private groups have been working to protect the species.

The Blue Crane is found on the South African 5 cent coin!

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