Black-necked Crane
Grus nigricollis
A regal, rather thickset crane of highland lakes and wet pastures. Pale-bodied with a black neck, a dark drooping ‘bustle’ of elongated feathers above the tail, and a patch of bare red skin on the crown. Winters at lower altitudes, along the shorelines of large lakes and flooded agricultural fields. It may be confused for the smaller and more abundant Common Crane; look out for the all-dark neck and tail.
Identification
This medium-sized crane is mostly grey with a black head and neck. The lores and crown are naked and dull red. A small patch of white feathers are present below and behind the eye. The tail is black and makes it easy to distinguish at a distance from the similar looking common crane which has grey tail.
Taxonomy
Genus: Grus; Family: Gruidae; Order: Gruiformes.
- Scientific name
- Grus nigricollis
- Authority
- Przevalski, 1876
- Order
- Gruiformes
- Family
- Gruidae
- Genus
- Grus
Range and habitat
The black-necked crane summers mainly in the high-altitude Tibetan Plateau. The breeding areas are alpine meadows, lakeside and riverine marshes and river valleys. They also make use of barley and wheat fields in these areas. Wintering areas tend to be in sheltered valleys or lower altitudes. The largest populations are in China with smaller numbers extending into Vietnam, Bhutan and India. Small populations have been noted in northern Sikkim. A small group of 20 to 40 was once known to regularly visit the Subansiri area in the Apa Tani valley until 1975, and vagrants have been recorded in Nepal.<p>In 1991, an estimated 600 to 900 cranes inhabited the Hongyuan-Ruoergai Plateau, Sichuan, China, making it the most crucial breeding and summering area for the cranes at that time. According to a 2013 survey, the total crane population in the Zoigê Marsh was 893.<p>In 1996, there were about 4,000 of the birds, most of whom spent their winters in Tibet in the valleys of the Nyanga, Lhasa and Pengbo rivers and the middle reaches of the Yarlung Tsangpo.The Hutoushan Reservoir in the Pengbo valley is an important winter resting place, with a 96 square kilometres (37 sq mi) Linzhou Black-necked Crane Preservation Zone established in 1993.Black-necked cranes also winter in small numbers in two valleys of western Arunachal Pradesh, India. These are Sangti and Zemithang.
- Breeding range
- PAL : Tibet and wc China
- Non-breeding range
- n OR
- Migration
- Vertical migration
Behavior
Migration pattern: Vertical migration.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Spectacled Tyrant
Hymenops perspicillatus
Fairly common locally in fresh and brackish marshes and wet pastures, where male is often conspicuous, perching atop bushes or wires. Besides his glossy black plumage with yellow bill and eyering, the male often attracts attention by big white wing patches that flash in flight. The very different female is much less noticeable and often keeps to vegetation. Female is overall streaky with a yellowish bill and eyering, and bright rusty wing flashes. Compare with female Yellow-winged Blackbird.
Black-chinned Honeyeater
Melithreptus gularis
Medium-sized honeyeater with a black hood and tiny black mark on chin. There are two subspecies which have significant visual differences. The subspecies in southeastern Australia has an olive back and blue skin around the eye. The "Golden-backed" (laetior) subspecies in northern Australia has a bright yellow back and yellow-green skin around the eye. This species is usually first detected by its loud insect-like call, a repeated "chir chir chir chir".
Rusty-cheeked Scimitar-Babbler
Erythrogenys erythrogenys
A large brown babbler of scrubby edges, second growth, and open forest in hilly and montane habitats. Usually in pairs when breeding, but sometimes in larger groups in the winter. Gray-brown from the crown down to the tail, orange on the face, sides, and undertail, and white on the throat, breast, and belly. Lacks strong streaking or spotting. Like other scimitar-babblers, frequently duets, giving far-carrying hooting choruses together. Also gives rolling chattering series typical of the genus. Red-eyed Scimitar-Babbler of Myanmar and northwest Thailand was formerly treated as part of this species; Rusty-cheeked is restricted to the Himalayas.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.