Common Name: Demoiselle Crane Scientific Name: Anthropoides virgo
LEAST CONCERN Demoiselle Crane Distribution: Asia & Central Africa Habitat: Varied Height: 90cm Weight: 2 - 3kg Diet: Omnivorous
The Demoiselle crane is the smallest of the crane species. The male is slightly larger than the female. The majority of the crane body is covered with silver grey feathers with black head and neck feathers. The secondary feathers of the crane are tipped with black. This crane has white ear tufts which run from the ear behind the eye to the upper neck. The iris of the crane is red. The legs are black. The crane is found from the Black Sea to Mongolia and north east China. The wintering grounds are in India and subSaharan Africa from Lake Chad to Ethiopia. There are also small populations in Turkey and the Atlas mountains in North west Africa. Here, they are found in savannah, steppe and grassland habitats located within the vicinity of water courses like streams and lakes. The crane eats mainly seeds but also takes worms, lizards and insects which it finds by walking through the grass very slowly. The crane has a dance which is performed as part of the mating ritual. This involves standing with their heads back and with beaks pointed to the sky. The crane demonstrates limited nest preparation. They may collect a few pebbles into a pile but the eggs are laid on the ground. The female usually lays two eggs which she incubates for 27 – 29 days. She chooses areas where the vegetation is tall enough to conceal her, but short enough for her to keep a look out from the nest whilst incubating. The chicks fledge in 55 – 65 days. The crane is migratory.