Common crane facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Common crane
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Class:	Aves
Order:	Gruiformes
Family:	Gruidae
Genus:	Grus
Binomial name
Grus grus (Linnaeus, 1758)

The common crane (Grus grus), also known as the Eurasian crane, is a bird of the family Gruidae, the cranes. It is the only crane commonly found in Europe apart from the demoiselle crane.

Habitat

In Europe, the common crane breeds in boreal and taiga forest and mixed forests, from sea-level to 2,200 m (7,200 ft). It also lives on treeless moors, on bogs, or on dwarf heather habitats, usually where small lakes or pools are also found.

In Sweden, breeders are usually found in small, swampy openings amongst pine forests while, in Germany, marshy wetlands are used. Breeding habitats in Russia are similar, though they can even be found nesting in the steppe and in semi-desert, so long as water is near. Mostly, common cranes are found breeding in wooded swamps, bogs and wetlands. They seem to need quiet, peaceful enivrons with little human interference. They live in low density, from 1 to 5 pairs per 100 km² (39 sq mi).

During winter, the birds move to flooded areas, shallow sheltered bays, and swampy meadows. During the flightless moulting period there is a need for shallow waters or high reed cover for concealment. Later, after the migration period, the birds winter regularly in open country, often on cultivated lands and sometimes also in savanna-like areas, for example on the Iberian Peninsula.

Back to Britain

Cranes are back in Britain after 300 years. They were devastated by the draining of the fens 300 years ago. This was a low-lying wetland which was one of their favourite habitats.

Images for kids

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  Distribution and migration

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  Flock of common cranes flying over Castilla, Spain, during their winter migration

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  Common cranes in Osmussaar, Estonia. Wetlands are preferred habitats for the cranes.

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  The long coiled trachea (TR) penetrating the sternum (S, K, A) produces the trumpeting calls of the crane. L on the left - lungs, LA - larynx, L on the right - tongue.

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  Egg on the nest

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  "Departure of Cranes" - picture of 1870 by Józef Chełmoński (National Museum in Cracow)

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  Flock in flight

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  Individual in flight

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  Adults and immatures at Keoladeo National Park, India

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  In flight at Israel ha-Hula

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  Common cranes at Hula Valley in Israel

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  Common crane in flight

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  Juvenile in flight

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  ID composite

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  Large flock of cranes near Bobrowniki, Poland

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  From India

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  Adults in flight at Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary, Gujarat, India

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  Family group - adults and immatures - at Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary, Gujarat, India

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  Adults at Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary, Gujarat, India

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  Immature at Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary, Gujarat, India

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  A smal flock of Cranes in flight, Ystad 2022.

See also

In Spanish: Grulla común para niños