Antigone antigone gillae

(Schodde et al., 1989)

Vernacular names
English : Australian sarus crane
French : Grue Antigone d’Australie

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Gruiformes
Family : Gruidae
Notes : 2 other subspecies known

Identification
Tallest crane species, reaching 176 cm high for a weight of 12 kg. Head and upper neck covered with dark red skin, white ear patch, grey crown. Rest of plumage ashy-grey with white flight feathers. Subspecies with grey neck, larger than Indochinese subspecies.

Range and habitat
This subspecies occurs in north Australia (Queensland). Species also found in north India, Pakistan and Nepal and in northern Australia (Queensland). Lives in wetlands and grasslands nearby. Often found in agricultural areas.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : VULNERABLE
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The Indian subspecies is quite safe whereas the Indochinese subspecies is highly endangered. This subspecies has a small range but seems to be safe at this time.
Ex-Situ Programs : SSP in America

Observation
Weltvogelpark Walsrode (Captive, 2025), Olmense Zoo (Captive, 2017)

 

Back to “Cranes and seriemas” page