Demoiselle Crane (Grus virgo)

17-03-2020 Cyprus

 

Kingdom:Animalia

Phylum:Chordata

Class:Aves

Order:Gruiformes

Family:Gruidae

Genus:Grus

Species:G. virgo

Binomial name

Grus virgo

 

Demoiselle Crane (Grus virgo) is a species of bird in the Gruidae family.

 

Systematics

Order : Gruiformes

Family : Gruidés

Genus : Grus

Species : virgo

Descriptor Linnaeus, 1758

Biometrics

Size : 90 cm

Wingspan : 165 à 185 cm.

Weight : 1900 à 2800 g

 

The demoiselle crane (Grus virgo) is a species of crane found in central Eurosiberia, ranging from the Black Sea to Mongolia and North Eastern China. There is also a small breeding population in Turkey. These cranes are migratory birds. Birds from western Eurasia will spend the winter in Africa whilst the birds from Asia, Mongolia and China will spend the winter in the Indian subcontinent. The bird is symbolically significant in the Culture of India and Pakistan, where it is known as Koonj

 

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.

 

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.

 

Demoiselle cranes have to take one of the toughest migrations in the world. In late August through September, they gather in flocks of up to 400 individuals and prepare for their flight to their winter range. During their migratory flight south, demoiselles fly like all cranes, with their head and neck straight forward and their feet and legs straight behind, reaching altitudes of 16,000–26,000 feet (4,900–7,900 metres). Along their arduous journey they have to cross the Himalayan mountains to get to their over-wintering grounds in India. Many die from fatigue, hunger and predation from golden eagles. Simpler, lower routes are possible, such as crossing the range via the Khyber Pass. However, their presently preferred route has been hard-wired by countless cycles of migration. At their wintering grounds, demoiselles have been observed flocking with common cranes, their combined totals reaching up to 20,000 individuals. Demoiselles maintain separate social groups within the larger flock. In March and April, they begin their long spring journey back to their northern nesting grounds.

 

Savanna : Dry ; Shrubland : Temperate ; Grassland : Temperate, Subtropical/Tropical Dry ; Wetlands (inland) : Permanent Rivers/Streams/Creeks (includes waterfalls), Seasonal/Intermittent/Irregular Rivers/Streams/Creeks, Bogs, Marshes, Swamps, Fens, Peatlands, Permanent Freshwater Lakes (over 8ha), Seasonal/Intermittent Saline, Brackish or Alkaline Lakes and Flats ; Rocky areas (eg.

 

inland cliffs, mountain peaks) : ; Desert : Hot, Temperate ; Artificial/Terrestrial : Arable Land, Pastureland ; Artificial/Aquatic and Marine : Ponds (below 8ha)

 

The demoiselle was so named by Queen Marie Antoinette, for its delicate and maiden-like appearance

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