Common Crane (Grus grus)
Measurements: 1.1-1.2m long; wingspan 2.20-2.45m.
Id: Unmistakable on the ground. See below for differences from other long-legged wading birds.
At first sight a Crane seems to resemble any one of several kinds of tall, long-legged birds. It is, however, somewhat taller than the rest, and has a very distinctive bushy “tail” (actually the tertial flight feathers) that is very much its own. In contrast to a heron or egret its flies with its neck outstretched, giving a majestic profile with its long, broad wings beaten with slow, powerful wing-beats, and it can be told from a Stork by its much smaller head and bill. These differences are superficial and there are many other technical, anatomical ones, too; these ally the Crane to the very different looking Rails and Crakes.
By rob Stoeltje from loenen, netherlands – DSC02513, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=83194270
Another difference between Cranes and the rest, though, is particularly striking: the Crane’s remarkably loud, trumpeting voice. The other wading birds are very quiet, but Cranes are always calling, and their clarion like sounds carry for many kilometres. The strength of sound is achieved by a quirk of anatomy. The trachea coils all around the sternum and its rings fuse with this bone to create a series of plates that vibrate and amplify the sound. The loudest calls are made by the pair in duet: these “Unison Calls” are almost deafening.
Cranes don’t just communicate with their voice, but also carry out a series of ground displays that are so elegant and varied that they are often described as “dancing”. There are many versions, but birds will often run along the ground in circles or figures of eight, beating their wings without necessarily lifting off. On other occasions they will leap into the air and kick their legs or head forwards, and they might also spontaneously bow or bob their heads, or throw plant material exuberantly into the air. The precise function is not always clear, since dancing may break out among birds in winter flocks, as well as between pairs. But whatever its function it is highly infectious, and will spread quickly from one end of a feeding flock to the other.
By Peter Mulligan from United Kingdom – Crane, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9073683
Cranes are highly migratory, moving on a narrow front between their specific breeding, resting and wintering areas. They are rarely seen outside their usual routes. They breed in many northern European countries and winter mostly in France, Spain and Africa.
From ‘Birds: A Complete Guide to All British and European Species’, by Dominic Couzens. Published by Collins and reproduced with permission.