facts about cranes with pictures
Facts about the Crane (bird) with Pictures
In Asia, cranes are considered as a symbol of eternal youth as well as happiness. Doesn't it make you find more about this bird? This Buzzle article provides interesting facts about cranes.
Lifespan
The average lifespan of cranes is 20 to 30 years in the wild. However, the oldest known captive Siberian crane lived for 83 years in captivity.Appearance
Cranes are known as the world's tallest flying birds. They can grow tall up to 1-1.8 meters. They vary between 35-69 inches in length and 6-12 pounds in weight. The Demoiselle Crane is the smallest crane species, while the Sarus Crane is the tallest crane species. The Red-crowned Cranes are known to be the heaviest species of all.
These birds are known for their long legs and necks. They have large rounded wings and are known to fly with their necks outstretched unlike other birds, which makes it their unique quality. White, gray, black, blue, and red are the colors found in different crane species. However, all the species have a straight beak. It is usually harder to distinguish male cranes from the females as there is not much difference. However, average males are usually a little bigger than the females.Habitat
These birds can be found in every continent except Antarctica and South America. Most of the cranes inhabit wetlands, marshes, and swamps as they require water and open spaces. Their nest is usually build on shallow wetlands. Crane species from the Anthropoides genus nest on open grasslands and deserts as well. However, the two crowned crane species nest in the trees.
The nest is usually made with dried plant material like grass, seeds, sedges, etc. Later, the greener leaves, grass, twigs, etc., are added. Both males and females gather the material; however, only female cranes build the nest. The nests can be around 3-4 inches tall and 30-40 inches across.Migration
Some species of cranes are known to live in the same area permanently, while others such as the Whooping and Siberian cranes are known to travel almost 10,000 miles in winter.Diet
These birds are known as omnivores, which means, they feed on plants as well as animals. As they live near water, small fish, insects, and amphibians are their prey. In addition, they feed on plants, grains, seeds, tree barks, leaves, etc., as well.Communication
Cranes are highly social and known for their distinct vocal calls. They have a rich vocabulary of calls, which is used to impress a partner, ask for food, as an alarm, etc. The length and position of their trachea helps the cranes to amplify their calls, which can be carried to several kilometers.
Cranes can communicate with the skin, feathers, and muscles as well. Most crane species have bare skin areas on their faces, which can be used as a mode of communication. Also, intensifying the color of the skin, contracting the muscles, and moving the feathers on their head, are the ways in which cranes communicate with each other.Breeding
These birds search for partners between the age of 3 and 5. They are monogamous. They perform an elaborate mating dance which includes jumping, stretching, bowing, and other leg movements. On mating, the bond usually lasts for a lifetime. However, breaking off the bond and taking on a new partner is seen among these birds.
Although each crane species has its own breeding period, it is generally a warmer season of the year. Female cranes build nests to lay eggs. They typically lay 2 eggs at a time. The eggs take around 30 days to hatch. Mother cranes feed and nurture the chicks, whereas father cranes protect the family and their habitat from any predators till the chicks are 10 months old. Once strong enough, the chicks leave the nest.