Species Profile: Sarus Crane

Hello again, welcome back to animals under threat. Today, we will be covering an animal that is one of two species of crane that resides in Australia. Please welcome the Sarus Crane (Grus antigone).

As stated in the opening sentence, the Sarus crane is one of two species of crane found in Australia. They are characterized by their grey coloured body with black wing tips, red head, dull red legs and lack the dewlap/flap that the Brolga has. This species not only resides in Australia but also found in parts of Asia and the Indian subcontinent, living in large roost sites (Campbell & Woods, 2013).

Sarus crane flying by J.M. Garg and close up of head by unknown.

 

Sarus cranes prefer to live in mixture of partially flooded areas to live in as they feed on roots, tubers, invertebrates and amphibians. They also need dry land nesting as Sarus cranes make their nest out of reeds and grassed which is at least two meters in diameter and above the shallow water surrounding it (Birdlife international, 2016). The mating ritual of the Sarus crane involves dancing, bowing, circling movements and loud shrill cries. This species of crane is monogamous which means they mate for life and will grieve if their mate is killed, refusing to eat or care for itself (Hammer, 2009).

Displaying wings by J.M. Garg & family by Sumeet Moghe.

 

 

The Sarus crane is under threat by loss of habitat from degradation and human impact. These cranes relied on the wetlands for food and nesting materials are disappearing due to the need of agriculture and urban development. Adult cranes are at risk from hunters as they are hunted for meat, medical purposes and the prevention of crop damage. Young crane chicks are under threat from other predator such as dingos, crows, foxes and Brahminy kites (Gosai et al, 2016).

 

Next time, we will be covering a species of humming bird named after Anne Debelle, Duchess of Rivoli.

References

 

BirdLife International. 2016. Antigone antigone. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

2016: e.T22692064A93335364.

 

Campbell, I, & Woods, S 2013, Wildlife of Australia, Princeton University Press, Princeton. Available from: ProQuest Ebook Central. [7 May 2019].

 

Gosai, K.R., Shrestha, T.K., Shrestha, S.M., Hill, S.D., Gyawali, B., Gautam, D.N. & Aryal, A. 2016, "Population structure, behavior, and current threats to the sarus crane (Grus antigone antigone) in Nepal", Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 301-305.

 

HAMMER, N., Centrum för teologi och religionsvetenskap, Centre for Theology and Religious Studies, Lund University & Lunds universitet 1887;2009;, "Why Sārus Cranes epitomize Karuṇarasa in the Rāmāyaṇa", Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, vol. 19, no. 2, pp. 187-211.

 

Picture references

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarus_crane