Grus grus lilfordi

(Sharpe, 1894)

Vernacular names
English : Common crane
French : Grue cendrée

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Gruiformes
Family : Gruidae
Notes : 1 other subspecies known

Identification
The species grows to 120 cm long and a weight of 6,1 kg. Fairly small crane with mostly light grey to ashy grey plumage, darker near tail. Neck and head slaty-grey black with white band from eye to lower neck, red crown, light-colored bill.

Range and habitat
This species breeds from Scandinavia and northeast Europe to northeast Siberia. Winters in south Europe, North Africa, India and south China mostly. Lives in forested and shallow wetlands, bogs, grasslands and agricultural fields.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species is threatened by hunting and habitat loss on breeding and wintering grounds. The Asian subspecies hasn’t been studied as thoroughly.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation
Jurong Bird Park (Singapore), Vogelpark Niendorf (Germany)

 

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