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

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