The Indian Subcontinent provides suitable habitats to various species of birds for residing and reproducing. Cranes are no exception in this regard. Various types of cranes have been recorded in India. These cranes are described below.
Sarus Crane
In India, Sarus Crane has been recorded breeding in Pong Dam in Himachal Pradesh and in rice-dominated districts of Uttar Pradesh. It is the tallest species of crane. The male sarus (180 cm) belonging to the Indian population is the world`s tallest surviving flying bird. The adult bird has red colored head and upper neck, which turns brighter during breeding. It has grayish crown.
Its bill is long, pointed and greenish-grey. The iris is orange-red. Each side of the face has grayish white feathers. There are long, black hair-like bristles on parts of the upper throat and neck. The dominant color on the body of this crane is gray. The bird has pale red legs. The male and female cranes have similar plumage. Male cranes are generally larger than females.
Common Crane
Common Crane is a winter visitor of north and north-west India. The dominant color on the body of this crane is slate- gray. The bird has grayish yellow pointed beak. Its iris is orange in color. It has a bare crown, which is red in color. It has blackish forehead and lores and the primary feathers, alula, tips of secondary feathers, edges of upper tail coverts and tip of the tail are also black in appearance. There is a white streak stretching from behind eyes to the upper back. The bird has long, pinkish gray legs.
Black-Necked Crane
In India, Black-Necked Crane has been recorded in eastern Ladakh, Zemithang Valley in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim. The dominant color on the body of this vulnerable species is pale gray or whitish. Its lores and crown are naked and dull red and the bill is greenish. There is a small patch of white feathers below and behind the eye on the otherwise black head and neck of the bird. The primary and secondary flight feathers, legs and feet and tail are also black in color.
Demoiselle Crane
Demoiselle Crane is the smallest species of crane. This crane has black colored head and neck. The chest feathers extend into a black plume. The bird has a long white neck stripe. The male crane is slightly larger than the female counterpart. A person named Ratanlal Maloo is associated with the conservation of thousands of Demoiselle Cranes visiting the village of Kheechan in Rajasthan. He was consequently given Salim Ali Nature Conservation Award in the year 2009 for his efforts.
