Birds · Gruiformes · Gruidae

Common Crane

Grus grus

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

Every other year, before migrating, it moults all its flight feathers at once and cannot fly for around six weeks. Pairs 'paint' their plumage with mud as extra camouflage against predators while rearing young.

Weight

3 kg – 6.1 kg

Size

1 m – 1.3 m

Lifespan

20 years

Diet

Omnivore

Combines animal and plant food depending on availability.

Activity

Diurnal

Active mainly during the day.

Social structure

In pairs

Usually lives in pairs, sometimes for life.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

TundraFreshwaterOmnivore Diurnal In pairs Bird Tundra Freshwater

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Fun facts

locomociónIt flies in a V on migration, a formation that cuts drag and saves energy for the birds behind the leader.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - pneumatised bony skeleton (bird)
Habitat & environment: Wetlands, boreal forest and steppe of Europe and Asia, migrating to warmer country in winter
Birth weight: Exact weight not found as a precise figure
Size at birth: Precocial, able to run and swim soon after hatching, using its wings for balance
Sexual maturity: 3-6 years
Gestation / incubation: ~30 days
Litter / clutch size: 2 eggs per clutch (rarely 3-4)