Demoiselle Crane
Anthropoides virgo
Small gray crane of open expansive habitats. Adult is an elegantly smooth shade of gray with a black neck, fiery eyes, and pure white plumes extending out from behind the eyes. Juvenile is similar but paler overall and with shorter plumes. Dark wingtips, prominent while the bird is in flight, may cause confusion with Gray Heron, but note overall shape and straight-necked flying posture (heron typically tucks neck in). Small size distinguishes this species from other cranes. Inhabits fields, deserts, steppes, and plains with water in general vicinity. May visit drier habitat in winter. Migrates in large, vocal flocks.
Identification
The demoiselle is 85–100 cm (33.5–39.5 in) long, 76 cm (30 in) tall and has a 155–180 cm (61–71 in) wingspan. It weighs 2–3 kg (4.4–6.6 lb). It is the smallest species of crane. The demoiselle crane is slightly smaller than the common crane but has similar plumage. It has a long white neck stripe and the black on the foreneck extends down over the chest in a plume.<p>It has a loud trumpeting call, higher-pitched than the common crane. Like other cranes it has a dancing display, more balletic than the common crane, with less leaping.<p>The demoiselle was so named by Queen Marie Antoinette, for its delicate and maiden-like appearance.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Anthropoides virgo
- Authority
- (Linnaeus, 1758)
- Order
- Gruiformes
- Family
- Gruidae
- Genus
- Anthropoides
Range and habitat
- Breeding range
- PAL : nw Africa, e Turkey, sw Russia to n China
- Non-breeding range
- c AF and India
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- rising
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds

Crossley's Vanga
Mystacornis crossleyi
Brown-backed, babbler-like vanga of the forest understory. Male has a black hood, and female a white throat. Endemic to Madagascar, in eastern rainforest at low and middle elevations. Shy and elusive bird that walks along the forest floor and through thick tangles. Song is a long, penetrating whistle given from a low perch. Coloration and habits make it distinctive.

Black-billed Mountain-Toucan
Andigena nigrirostris
Distinctive toucan of montane forests in the Andes from Venezuela to extreme northwest Peru. Easy to identify with black cap, dark bill, white throat, powder blue belly, and mostly brownish upperparts. Occurs from 1,500-2,500m, typically below the elevational range of Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan but occasionally some overlap. Uncommon; usually found singly or in pairs in the forest canopy, often around fruiting trees.

Red-legged Partridge
Alectoris rufa
Distinctive gamebird of farmland, grassy fields, and open heathland. Seen mainly as pairs and small groups, often along the edges of fields. Plumage is ornate and handsome, with a red bill, white throat, black streaked necklace, boldly barred flanks, and buffy belly. Other similar species (such as Chukar) do not overlap in native range, but can escape from collections or be introduced for hunting; all lack the diagnostic black-streaked necklace of Red-legged. Song is a dry, rasping “wa-cha-cha-wa-cha-cha” or “wi’ch-ch’ch.”
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