Sarus Crane Bird Facts (Grus antigone)

The Sarus Crane is the tallest flying bird, with a striking grey body, long pink legs, and a bare red head and upper neck. Its wings have black flight feathers, contrasting with the lighter grey body plumage.

Both sexes look similar, with males being slightly larger. Juveniles have a brownish-grey head and neck, gradually acquiring adult colouration over their first year.

The Sarus Crane is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

The Sarus Crane is not typically found in Garden habitats.

The Sarus Crane can be found in Wetland habitats.

The Sarus Crane is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

The Sarus Crane is not typically found in Urban habitats.

The Sarus Crane can be found in Farmland habitats.

The Sarus Crane can be found in Grassland habitats.

The Sarus Crane is not typically found in Desert habitats.

The Sarus Crane is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

The Sarus Crane is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

The Sarus Crane is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

The Sarus Crane is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Sarus Cranes inhabit wetlands, marshes, and agricultural landscapes across parts of the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and northern Australia. They are closely associated with areas of shallow water and open grasslands.

In Australia, they are found in the northern regions, particularly in Queensland. The cranes are non-migratory, maintaining year-round territories in suitable habitats.

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Sarus Crane. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Australia Cambodia China India Laos Myanmar Nepal Pakistan Vietnam

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Bangladesh

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Sarus Crane demonstrates considerable agility for its size, particularly during its elaborate courtship dances which involve synchronized jumping and wing flapping. Its ability to navigate wetlands and agricultural fields also suggests good manoeuvrability.

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

As the tallest flying bird in the world, the Sarus Crane possesses remarkable strength. Its ability to take flight despite its large size (up to 8 kg) and defend territories fiercely indicates substantial physical power.

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Sarus Cranes show adaptability in their diet and habitat choices, thriving in wetlands, marshes, and agricultural landscapes. However, their vulnerability to habitat loss and dependence on specific breeding conditions slightly limit this score.

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

During breeding season, Sarus Cranes are highly territorial and fiercely defend their nesting areas. Their large size and powerful bills make them formidable opponents, contributing to their aggressive nature when protecting their territory or young.

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

The Sarus Crane's ability to maintain year-round territories, engage in long courtship displays, and care for young for extended periods (up to 10 months) suggests high endurance. Their potential longevity (over 40 years in captivity) also indicates robust stamina.

Sarus Cranes are omnivorous, feeding on a variety of plant matter, insects, small vertebrates, and aquatic organisms.

They often forage in shallow water or agricultural fields, using their long bills to dig for tubers and probe for invertebrates in mud or soft soil.

Sarus Cranes are known for their elaborate courtship dances involving synchronised jumping, wing flapping, and bugling calls. They are highly territorial during the breeding season, fiercely defending their nesting areas.

These cranes often forage in shallow water, using their long bills to probe for food.

Sarus Cranes are known for their loud, trumpeting calls, often given in unison by pairs. Their distinctive 'kar-kar-kar' call can be heard over long distances, especially early morning and evening. During courtship, pairs perform synchronised calling, creating a haunting duet.

Sarus Cranes form monogamous pairs that often mate for life. The breeding season varies by region but typically coincides with the monsoon or wet season. Pairs engage in elaborate courtship displays to strengthen their bond.

Nests are large platforms of vegetation, usually built in shallow water or on the ground in wetlands. The female typically lays two eggs, which are pale bluish-white with brown spots.

Both parents incubate the eggs for about 31-34 days. Chicks fledge at 85-100 days but stay with their parents for up to 10 months, learning essential survival skills.

The Sarus Crane typically lives for 30 to 40 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 41.8 years.

Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.

The Sarus Crane faces threats from habitat loss, agricultural intensification, and wetland drainage.

Conservation efforts focus on protecting wetland habitats, reducing pesticide use in agricultural areas, and community-based conservation programs to safeguard nesting sites.

Look for Sarus Cranes in wetlands, paddy fields, and agricultural areas
Listen for their loud, trumpeting calls, especially at dawn and dusk
Observe from a distance to avoid disturbing nesting pairs
Use a spotting scope for detailed views of their distinctive red head and neck

Adult Sarus Cranes have few natural predators due to their size, but eggs and chicks are vulnerable to jackals, feral dogs, and large raptors.

Sarus Cranes are the tallest flying birds in the world.
They can live for up to over 40 years in captivity.
In some cultures, Sarus Cranes are considered symbols of marital fidelity.

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