Standing at 1.8m (6ft) tall, the Sarus Crane is the tallest flying bird in the world. The females tend to be just a little smaller.
In the wild, the main population of Sarus Cranes is found in India. Inhabiting agricultural land, ponds and wetlands (particularly during the nesting period), their elaborate courtship displays and eerie ‘honking’ calls during the spring months are an awe-inspiring spectacle.
Human encroachment and pollution of the waterways has led to the decline of the Sarus Crane in much of its former range. However, conservation bodies are working closely with relevant governments in order to save their remaining habitat. Zoological collections around the world are also playing an important role in conserving the Sarus Crane through captive breeding programmes.
Generally laying a clutch of two eggs, a breeding pair of cranes will share the incubation period of between 31 and 34 days, and guard their territory, especially around the nest area, very aggressively. Within a few hours of hatching, the chicks, which are covered in brown downy feathers, are able to walk around and follow their parents and feed by copying the actions of the adult birds.
