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Sarus Crane

Grus antigone

Vulnerable
This towering wetland dweller, standing up to 6 feet tall, is the world's tallest flying bird and a cultural icon across its Asian range.
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Visual Identification

Appearance

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.

Size

Length

152cm to 156cm

Wingspan

220cm to 250cm

Weight

5kg to 8kg

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Grey

Secondary Colour

Red White

Beak Colour

Grey

Leg Colour

Pink

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Sarus Crane is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Sarus Crane is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Sarus Crane can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Sarus Crane is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Sarus Crane is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Sarus Crane can be found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Sarus Crane can be found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Sarus Crane is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Sarus Crane is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Sarus Crane is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Sarus Crane is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Sarus Crane is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

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.

Elevation Range

Up to 1,500 meters

Climate zones

Tropical, Subtropical

Distribution Map

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
© 2024 - Birdfact
Resident
Vagrant

Distribution by Region

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

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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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.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 75

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 85

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 70

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 80

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 85

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.

Diet

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.

Behaviour

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.

Vocalisation

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.

Nesting & Breeding

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.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Vulnerable [1]

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.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

13,000 - 15,000 mature individuals [2]

Global Population Trend

[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

  • 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

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Indian Sarus Crane, Antigone antigone

Family:

Gruidae

Average Lifespan

30 to 40 years

Max Lifespan

41.8 years [4]

Predators

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

Did You Know?

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

References

  1. 1 3

    website: BirdLife International. 2016. Antigone antigone. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22692064A93335364.

    View source
  2. 2 4

    report, 2006: Wetlands International

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