Animalia Life

Grus leucogeranus
SUBFAMILY
Gruinae
TAXONOMY
Grus leucogeranus Pallas, 1773, central Siberia. Monotypic.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
English: Great white crane, Siberian white crane, Asiatic white crane; French: Grue de Sibйrie; German: Schneekranich; Spanish: Grulla Siberiana.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Height 55 in (140 cm); wingspan 82.6–90.5 in (210–230 cm); weight 11–19 lb (5–8.6 kg). White crane with dark red mask around bill and eyes. Serrated bill tip.
DISTRIBUTION
Russia; winters in China, Iran, and India.
HABITAT
Uses wetlands for nesting, breeding, and roosting.
BEHAVIOR
Migrate long distances over international borders.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
During winter and while migrating, the cranes feed on tubers. While nesting, they feed on invertebrates, cranberries, frogs, mollusks, aquatic insects, and fish.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Usually lay 2 eggs, incubated for 29 days. Chicks fledge at 70–75 days.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Endangered, and listed on CITES Appendix I. Strict dependence on wetlands makes it susceptible to habitat loss due to development, dam building, and oil exploration.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
Revered by Khanty people in western Siberia and Yakatian people in eastern Siberia. Treasured as “Lily of Birds” by Indians.

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