Sarus Crane
Place to admire: Animal Plaza & China
Scientific name: Grus antigone
IUCN-status: Vulnerable
Habitat
The Sarus Crane lives mainly in South Asia, Southeast Asia and Australia. The Sarus Crane inhabits various types of grasslands, inland wetlands and man-made areas such as rice fields, croplands, pastures and water storage areas.
Diet
This bird species is an omnivore. In other words, the Sarus Crane eats both plant and animal material. Its diet consists of reed tubers, marsh plants, grasses, nuts, rice waste, grains, Snails, Grasshoppers, Fish, Insects, Frogs and Snakes.
When the Sarus Crane is foraging, the bird walks slowly with its head down, searching for food. Unlike other Cranes, the Sarus Crane does not dig.
Threats
The IUCN has classified the Sarus Crane as Vulnerable. Its population in the wild continues to decline. The main threats to this bird species are habitat loss, mainly due to reclamation of wetlands for agriculture and urban development. In addition, the Sarus Crane is susceptible to disturbances from human activities and pollution.
Did you know?
The Sarus Crane is considered sacred in India. Therefore, this species often appears in Indian legends and poetry.
