Sarus Crane
Place to admire: Animal Plaza & China
Scientific name: Grus antigone
IUCN-status: Vulnerable
Habitat
The Sarus Crane is found in the wild in Australia, Cambodia, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Vietnam. This bird species is now extinct in Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Bangladesh.
The Sarus Crane is found in (sub-) tropical dry grasslands, (sub-) tropical seasonal wet and flooded grasslands, inland wetlands with marshlands, pocket forests, peatlands, permanent freshwater lakes and permanent freshwater marshes. This bird species also occurs in artificial (man-made) areas such as croplands, pastures and water storage areas.
Appearance
The Sarus Crane is a large Crane. This bird species has a size of up to 176 centimeters. Its wingspan is even 220 to 280 centimeters. The plumage of Sarus Crane generally colors gray. The head, neck and throat are covered with red skin. On the neck you can see some black feathers. The iris is orange in color.
Diet
The Sarus Crane is known to be an omnivore. This means that this bird species eats both plant and animal material.
This bird species feeds on reed tubers, marsh plants, grasses, nuts, rice waste and grains.
The animal diet includes Snails, Grasshoppers, Fish, Frogs, Snakes and other small vertebrates.
Social behavior
The Sarus Crane is considered the least social Crane species. During the breeding season, this bird species lives in solitary and territorial pairs. This bird species reacts aggressively against intruders during the breeding season.
The Sarus Crane easily dominates other species. Because this bird species is 1 of the largest Cranes, this bird species easily wins over others. When the Siberian Cranes and European Cranes contest the foraging area of the Sarus Crane, the Sarus Crane can chase them away simply by taking a few stiff-legged steps in their direction. Yet the Sarus Crane does sometimes call with other species, making “safety in numbers” for predators more important than roosting or foraging alone.
