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Common crane

Meet the Common Crane, a super tall bird that dances and flies across Europe and Asia!

Images

Common Crane

Common Crane

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Common Cranes
Common Crane, White Stork, Gigantic Crane, Common Heron, and Little Egret from A history of the earth and animated nature (1820) by Oliver Goldsmith (1730-1774). Digitally enhanced from our own publication.
Common crane in flight at Hula valley
Common cranes before sunrise
Common Cranes (Grus grus)- Immatures at Bharatpur I IMG 5656
Common cranes
Common Crane, Gugny, Biebrzański Park Narodowy, Polska
Common Crane-Mindaugas Urbonas-1
Common crane
Common Crane (Grus grus)
Common crane grus grus

Key Facts

Scientific Name
Grus grus.
Habitat
Wetlands, marshes, and open fields in Europe and Asia.
Diet
Omnivore - eats plants, seeds, berries, insects, worms, frogs, and small fish.
Size
Can stand about 1.2 meters (4 feet) tall, with a wingspan of up to 2.3 meters (7.5 feet).
Lifespan
Up to 20 years in the wild.
Conservation Status
Least Concern (not in danger of disappearing).
Fun Fact
Common Cranes perform elaborate dances with leaps and bows to communicate and bond.

Hello, Tall Dancer!

Imagine a bird that can stand as tall as a grown-up! That's the Common Crane. These amazing birds have long legs and necks, making them look like they're always ready to explore.

They love to dance, too! They leap, flap their wings, and bow to each other. It's like a special bird party!

They are found in big, open places like meadows and marshes across Europe and Asia, where they can stretch their wings and find yummy snacks.

What's on the Menu?

Common Cranes are not picky eaters! They love to munch on all sorts of things they find on the ground. This includes tasty roots and seeds from plants, juicy berries, and even little bugs and worms.

Sometimes, they might even find a small frog or a little fish for a special treat. They use their long beaks to poke around in the dirt and water, searching for their next delicious meal. It's like a treasure hunt for food every day!

Flying High and Living Long

These magnificent birds are built for flying long distances. They can fly for many hours at a time, often in big V-shaped groups, like a flying arrow! In the wild, a Common Crane can live for a really long time, sometimes as long as 20 years, which is older than many dogs!

They are quite special because, even though there are many of them, they are not in danger of disappearing, which is great news for these beautiful birds.

A Special Bird's Home

Common Cranes make their homes in wide-open spaces with lots of grass and water, like marshes, wetlands, and fields. They build their nests on the ground, often in hidden spots where they feel safe. These birds are found in many parts of Europe and Asia. Sometimes, they even fly south for the winter to find warmer places to live and eat. They are like nature's travelers, always on the move!

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Based on content from Wikipedia · Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0