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COMMON CRANE

Grus grus

Length

96 - 119 cm

Wingspan

180 - 222 cm

Classification

Order: Gruiformes
Family: Gruidae

Grus grus

Habitat

It breeds in boreal forest swamps, in lacustrine reedbeds or along rivers in wooded areas. The winter is spent in meadows, lagoons, marshes and holm oak pastures in southern Europe.

Description

Very large and tall, with very long legs and a long, narrow neck. Adults have a black and white head, with a small red spot on the crown. The plumage of the body is pale bluish-grey, although most of the breeding individuals have a reddish-brown back as their feathers are dyed by the muddy waters when they incubate. When perched, the tertiary feathers form a eye-catching “ostrich tail” bundle. They fly with their necks and legs fully extended, often seen flying in groups in a V formation.

Grus grus
Regular | Occasional                Resident | Transient | Winter | Summer

Description

Very large and tall, with very long legs and a long, narrow neck. Adults have a black and white head, with a small red spot on the crown. The plumage of the body is pale bluish-grey, although most of the breeding individuals have a reddish-brown back as their feathers are dyed by the muddy waters when they incubate. When perched, the tertiary feathers form a eye-catching “ostrich tail” bundle. They fly with their necks and legs fully extended, often seen flying in groups in a V formation.

Regular | Occasional
Resident | Transient | Winter | Summer