ExploreBird

Demoiselle Crane

Grus virgo

The Demoiselle Crane is a beautiful bird with long legs and a graceful neck. It dances in the air and on the ground, showing off its fancy moves to impress friends!

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The Demoiselle Crane is a graceful, medium-sized crane with a slate-grey body. It has a striking black neck and head, adorned with elegant white ear tufts that stream backward. Its distinct red eyes make it visually stand out from similar birds.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderGruiformesFamilyGruidaeGenusAnthropoides

Demoiselle Crane

Interesting facts

Demoiselle Cranes migrate over the towering Himalayan mountains twice a year!

Some cultures see these elegant birds as symbols of good fortune.

They are the smallest of all crane species, standing less than a meter tall!

Young Demoiselle Cranes often stay with their parents for up to a year!

Special abilities

Demoiselle Cranes can soar over mountains, including the Himalayas, because of their strong wings and unique breathing that helps them migrate.

Demoiselle Cranes have elaborate 'dances' that involve bowing and leaping, which helps them attract a mate during breeding season.

Demoiselle Cranes can make loud, trumpeting calls because they have a long trachea, which helps them communicate across vast open landscapes.

Measurements & details

Length: 85-100 cm
Wingspan: 155-180 cm
Weight: 2-3 kg
Lifespan: 15-25 years
Top Speed: 60 km/h
Clutch Size: 1-2
Incubation: 27-31 days
Migration Distance: 5000 km

Diet & Feeding

This crane enjoys a varied diet of seeds, grains, insects, and small critters!

Primary Foods

Seeds
Grains
Insects
Worms
Small reptiles
Plant shoots

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Red Fox

Vulpes vulpes

Foxes may prey on eggs and chicks.

eaten by

Golden Eagle

Aquila chrysaetos

Eagles can prey on younger or weakened cranes.

eats

Wheat

Triticum aestivum

Cranes feed on spilled grains in fields.

eats

Migratory Locust

Locusta migratoria

They consume various insect species, including locusts.

Traits

Feathered

These are animals covered in soft, beautiful feathers that help them fly, stay warm, and even attract mates! Think of all the amazing birds you know.

Social

Discover creatures that love to live and work together! These animals form groups, helping each other find food, stay safe, and raise their young.

Singing

Listen to the beautiful sounds of nature's singers! These animals use their voices to attract friends, mark their territory, or even warn others.

Colorful

Discover amazing plants and animals that show off a dazzling array of bright and beautiful hues! They use their vibrant colors to attract attention or send signals.

Grassland

These wide-open spaces are covered in grasses, often home to grazing animals and incredible predators! Experience the vastness of the plains.

Herbivorous

Meet the peaceful munchers and grazers who find all their nourishment from plants, leaves, and fruits. They transform plant energy into life!

Longevous

Marvel at organisms that have an incredible capacity to live for a very, very long time, sometimes spanning centuries or even millennia. They are the elders of the natural world!

Migratory

Follow incredible journeys across the world! These animals travel far and wide at different times of the year, often to find better food or warmer places.