Birds · Gruiformes · Gruidae

Black-necked Crane

Grus nigricollis

Near Threatened

It could become endangered in the near future if current threats go unchecked. See full glossary

The black-necked crane is the only crane in the world that lives and breeds high in the mountains throughout its cycle. It breeds on the peat bogs of the Tibetan plateau, above 3,000 metres, and comes down in winter to somewhat lower valleys in Tibet, Yunnan and Bhutan. It was the last crane species to be described by science, in 1876. Its recent recovery owes much to its sacred role in Tibetan and Bhutanese Buddhist culture.

Weight

5 kg – 7 kg

Size

1.2 m – 1.4 m

Lifespan

30 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

Moderate

Estimated population

Around 10,000-11,000 individuals

MountainTundraFreshwaterOmnivore Diurnal In pairs Near Threatened Bird Mountain Tundra Freshwater

12countries 6parks10same family

Fun facts

It was the last crane in the world to be described by science, in 1876, and the last whose eggs and nest were documented, as late as 1919.
In Bhutan a festival is held every November to mark its arrival in the Phobjikha valley, and its sacred status in Tibetan Buddhism has protected it more effectively than many conservation laws.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (bird)
Habitat & environment: High-altitude peat bogs and wetlands of the Tibetan plateau, between 2,900 and 4,900 metres
Sexual maturity: 4 years
Gestation / incubation: 32 days of incubation
Litter / clutch size: 2 eggs

Sources consulted: https://www.iucnredlist.org/ | https://animaldiversity.org/ | https://es.wikipedia.org/