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Of the 15 species of cranes, the Black-necked Crane is the most recently discovered species. It is the only crane that lives in plateau areas. Its breeding range includes much of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau in China, with a small breeding population occurring in adjacent Ladakh in India.
The world’s Black-necked Crane population is estimated at 5,600 − 6,000. Loss and degradation of habitat are its main threats. These problems are most serious in the wintering areas, where wetlands have been extensively affected by irrigation projects, dam construction, draining and grazing pressure. |
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| KINGDOM |
Animalia |
HEIGHT |
89 cm |
| PHYLUM |
Chordata |
WEIGHT |
2-3 kg |
| CLASS |
Aves |
WINGSPAN |
155-180 cm |
| ORDER |
Gruiformes |
POPULATION |
~200,000-240,000 |
| FAMILY |
Gruidae |
TREND |
Stable Overall |
| GENUS |
Anthropoides |
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| SPECIES |
Anthropoides Virgo |
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| STATUS |
Listed in Appendix I| CITES, and Appendix II Convention on Migratory Species (CMS, or Bonn Convention) |
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Demoiselle Cranes are one of two species of cranes that do not have patches of bare, red skin on their heads. Eyes are reddish-orange, bill is short, and legs and toes are black. Males and females are virtually indistinguishable although the males tend to be slightly larger.
It has a loud trumpeting call, higher-pitched than most cranes. Like other cranes it has a dancing display, the Demoiselle’s dance has been called the avian ballet.
Demoiselle cranes have to take one of the toughest migrations in the world. In late August through September, they gather in flocks of up to 400 individuals and prepare for their flight to their winter range. Along their arduous journey they have to cross the Himalayan mountains to get to their over wintering grounds in India, many die from fatigue, hunger and predation from birds such as eagles. In Khichan in India, villagers feed the Cranes on their migration and these large congregations have become an annual spectacle.
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Demoiselles will often fake a wing injury to distract predators from their nests.
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The mating dance of the Demoiselle crane is spectacular. The birds walk stiffly around each other with quick steps, wings half spread, alternately leaping high in the air. During this display, the cranes bow deeply and stretch. Next, the cranes pick up sticks or pieces of grass, throw them in the air, and stab at them with their beak as they come down. Both sexes, mature and immature, take part in the dances.
- During migration Demoiselle cranes fly with their head and neck straight and their feet and legs straight behind them. They are able to reach heights of 4,875-7,925 m (16,000-26,000 ft). Their migration is so long and hard that many die from fatigue, hunger, or predation from birds of prey.
There are six main populations of Demoiselle Cranes occurring in over 47 countries throughout the world. The three eastern populations occurring in eastern Asia, Kazakhstan/central Asia, and Kalmykia (between the Black and Caspian Seas) are abundant, numbering in the tens of thousands. There are also three remnant populations occurring near the Black Sea, and the Atlas plateau of northern Africa, and Turkey. However, all are in decline and the north Africa and Turkey populations are near extinction.
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Demoiselle Cranes are primarily birds of dry grasslands. They do utilize agricultural fields and wetter steppe areas and are normally found near natural wetlands. In Demoiselle Cranes, the female initiates the unison calling display and utters one call for each male call.
In nesting areas, Demoiselle Cranes prefer patchy vegetation of sufficient height to conceal them and their nest, but short enough to allow them to look out while incubating. Small pebbles and some thin bedding may be gathered together, but eggs are often laid directly on the ground. Females usually lay two eggs and incubation (by both sexes) lasts 27-29 days. The male takes the primary role in defending the nest against possible danger. Chicks fledge (first flight) at 55-65 days, which is the shortest of any crane species. |
Principal foods of the Demoiselle Crane include plant materials, insects, peanuts, beans and other cereal grains, and small animals.
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Habitat loss and degradation are the main threats to the Demoiselle Crane. Demoiselle Cranes are hunted for sport, food, and pets in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Changes in agricultural practices (such as spring plowing and increasing use of pesticides) continue to have negative impacts on nesting and feeding behavior. In other areas, Demoiselles are shot or poisoned due to the crop damage they cause.
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Demoiselle Cranes are protected by cultural tradition in many portions of its range. In many Islamic areas, they are held in high regard (in part because the Koran mentions Demoiselle Cranes). In Mongolia and parts of India they are considered auspicious birds and are protected by local people.
Because most Demoiselle Cranes are found outside of protected areas, the development of habitat protection and management programs are of special importance for the species. In most cases, such programs involve the coordination of agricultural production and crane conservation practices. Thus far, this work has focused on analyzing the factors affecting Demoiselle Cranes in agricultural settings, and identifying methods to reduce negative impacts. Research on the situation has been undertaken mainly in breeding areas in Kazakhstan and Ukraine. |
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