Scientific Name:
Grus grus (Common Crane)
Description
Between three and four feet tall (larger than the Gray Heron), wingspan seven to nine feet, and weighing 12 or 13 pounds. Besides the Common Crane, there are 15 other crane varieties in Asia, Australia, Africa and North America. The crane must flap its wings to fly. It flies with slow but powerful wingbeats (unlike soaring birds like the stork). When migrating or changing location, the cranes fly in a line or "V" formation in which the birds rotate which bird flies at the front. This way of flying helps save energy. The number of European cranes using the western route is 65,000 to 70,000. The cranes flying to the southeast are estimated at around 30,000.
Breeding Area
Swampy and patchy woodland, cane brakes, wet meadows. Nests on the ground in damp mud or on small islands in boggy, swampy areas. This provides greater safety for the eggs and young, since possible enemies like the fox have difficulty reaching the nest.
Reproduction
Depending on the location, April-May or May-June. The crane lays two dull gray eggs with reddish-brown flecks. Incubation lasts around four weeks. Both parents brood the eggs, alternating at 2-4 hour intervals, though the female usually has longer shifts. Only one clutch of eggs per year, with some exceptions (for example, when enemies destroy the nest). The young are led by the parents to the winter quarters when they are 65-75 days old. Normally each parent takes responsibility for one of the chicks.
Nest
Sometimes on bare ground or little hills of mud without nesting material, sometimes an extensive construction of cattail stems, reeds, moss and similar materials. The nest, about two and a half feet in diameter, is eight inches to a foot tall and is sometimes built in areas of shallow water.
Feeding
In general cranes search for food only in open areas. In their breeding areas they live mainly on large insects, small vertebrates, and plant material. During migration they often land in fields where potatoes, grains or corn have been harvested (for example, on the island of Rügen). In their winter quarters (Extremadura in Spain) they live on the acorns of evergreen oaks. In Israel, they eat grain and peanuts.
Protection
The crane is protected by strong national and international laws. But the protection of rare species can only have an impact when its habitat is also strictly protected.
