|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
| SCIENTIFIC
CLASSIFICATION |
|
| COMMON
NAME: |
crane |
| KINGDOM: |
Animalia |
| PHYLUM: |
Chordata |
| CLASS: |
Aves |
| ORDER: |
Gruiformes |
| FAMILY: |
Gruidae |
| GENUS
SPECIES: |
Approximately
15 species |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| DESCRIPTION: |
Cranes
are tall birds with long legs, necks and usually
long bills. They resemble herons and egrets in body
shape, but tend to have heavier bodies. Cranes are
generally brown, gray, or white in color, although
African crowned cranes (Balearica pavonina)
feature a striking gold crown of feathers on their
heads. |
|
| SIZE: |
The whooping crane (Grus americana) is the
tallest American bird, with adults standing to 1.5
m (5 ft.) tall. Whooping cranes also have wingspans
up to 2.1 m (7 ft.). |
|
|
|
| DIET: |
Cranes
are omnivorous, long-legged wading birds that eat
a variety of plants and animals. Sandhill cranes
(G. canadensis) when in marshy areas, concentrate
on seeds, berries, and small invertebrates. Those
in dryer regions may eat grains, insects, reptiles,
small mammals, and even other birds. |
|
| INCUBATION: |
Cranes
mainly build nests in marshy areas, although crowned
cranes may nest in low trees. Sandhill cranes nest
mainly in the Arctic where they build large mounds
of vegetation in undisturbed areas. Cranes usually
lay 2 eggs at a time. |
|
|
|
| LIFE
SPAN: |
20-25 or more years; depends on species |
|
|
|
| HABITAT: |
Found
nearly worldwide except for Oceanus and Central
and South America and the southernmost latitudes |
|
| POPULATION: |
GLOBAL |
No
data |
|
| STATUS: |
IUCN |
2
species are listed as Endangered - the whooping
crane, Grus americana, and the Mississippi
sandhill crane, Oreomystis mana |
| CITES |
14
species are listed |
| USFWS |
10
species are listed; includes 2 species listed as
Endangered and 1 species listed as Critically Endangered |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| 1. |
Cranes
are powerful flyers, with some having the ability
to fly over the Himalayas. |
|
|
| 2. |
During migration cranes fly with their head and
neck straight out and their feet and legs straight
behind them. They are able to reach heights of 4,875-7,925
meters (16,000-26,000 ft). Their migration is so
long and hard that many die from fatigue, hunger,
or predation from birds of prey. |
|
|
| 3. |
Some cranes have long tracheas that are convoluted
into the keel of their sternums. If the trachea
of a whooping crane were straightened out it would
measure 1.5 m (5 ft.) in length. The long trachea
allows cranes to produce sounds that can be heard
from great distances. |
|
|
| 4. |
Cranes
form lifelong monogamous pair bonds. |
|
|
| 5. |
The
mating dance of the crane is spectacular. The birds
walk stiffly around each other with quick steps,
wings half spread, alternately leaping high in the
air. During this, the cranes bow deeply and
stretch. Next, the cranes pick up sticks or blades
of grass; throw them in the air, and stab at them
with their beak as they come down. Both sexes, mature
and immature, take part in the dances. |
|
|
| 6. |
When
males and females call in unison, both point their
bills to the sky and the male raises part of his
wing over his back and joins the female. The two
birds call back and forth for about 10 seconds.
Scientists believe these calls reinforce the monogamous
pair bond and also serve to defend their territory. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Cranes
face many threats, including excessive hunting
and habitat destruction. Sandhill crane populations
have been reduced by hunting and by the draining
of marshes, which they seek for nesting.
All
cranes are protected by international agreement.
In the United States, the Florida sandhill crane
(G. canadensis pratensis) is considered
a threatened species by the Florida Game and Fresh
Water Fish Commission.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| Ellis,
D. H., Gee, G. F., and C. Mirande. Cranes: Their
Biology, Husbandry, and Conservation. Dept.
Of Int., Washington, D.C., Nat'l Bio. Serv., 1996. |
|
|
Perrins, C.M. and A. Middleton. The Illustrated
Encyclopedia of Birds. New York: Prentice Hall
Press, 1990. |
|
|
Johnsgard, P.l. A. Cranes of the World.
Bloomington. Indiana University Press. 1983.
|
|
| Perrins,
C.M. and Alex Middleton. The Illustrated Encyclopedia
of Birds. New York: Prentice Hall Press, 1990. |
|
| Northern
Prairie Wildlife Research Center. http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/distr/birds/cranes/grusvipi.htm |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
