Siberian Crane

Taxobox
name = Siberian Crane
status = CR | status_system = IUCN3.1
trend = down

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regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Gruiformes
familia = Gruidae
genus = "Grus"
species = "G. leucogeranus"
binomial = "Grus leucogeranus"
binomial_authority = Pallas, 1773The Siberian Crane, "Grus leucogeranus", also known as the Siberian White Crane or the Snow Crane, is a bird of the family Gruidae, the cranes.

This species breeds in arctic Russia in Yakutia and western Siberia. It is a long distance migrant. The eastern population winters on the Yangtze River and Lake Poyang in China, the central population at Keoladeo National Park, India and the western population in Fereidoonkenar and Esfahan in Iran. It breeds and winters in wetlands, where it feeds on the shoots, roots and tubers of aquatic plants.

Description

This is a large white crane, typically 4.9-8.6 kg (10.8-19 lbs), 140 cm (55 in), and 210-230 cm (83-91 in) across the wings. Large males can exceed 152 cm (60 inches) and weigh over 10 kg (22 lbs). Adults are all white, except for a dark red mask extending from the bill to behind the eye. It has a yellow iris and reddish legs. The male is slightly larger than the female. Juveniles have a feathered mask and buff or cinnamon plumage. The voice is flute-like and musical.

tatus

The status of this crane is critical, as it is expected to undergo a rapid population decline in the near future. The wintering site in China holding 95% of the population is threatened by hydrological changes caused by the Three Gorges Dam. The population is estimated to be around 2000 in China. [http://www.chinabiodiversity.com/search/detail.shtm?cspcode=020550006]

Historic records from India suggest that a number of them wintered there in the past. In fact, Ustad Mansur, a 17th century court artist of Jehangir, [Verma, S. P. 1999. Mughal Painter of Flora and Fauna Ustad Mansur. Abhinav Publications.] was the first man to accurately paint the Siberian Crane.Rangarajan, M. (2001) India's Wildlife History, pp 14.] However, the number of birds wintering in India has steadily declined and the birds are no longer found there.

The Siberian Crane is one of the species to which the "Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds" (AEWA) applies and is subject of a Memorandum of Understanding concluded under the Bonn Convention.

ee also

* Angelo d'Arrigo

Footnotes

References

* Database entry includes justification for why this species is critically endangered
* Protection of siberian cranes in the Armizon marshes, Tyumen Oblast: [http://www.sibeflyway.org/Western%20Flyway-web.htm]

External links

* [http://www.savingcranes.org/species/siberian.cfm International Crane Foundation's Siberian Crane page]
* [http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=2786&m=0 BirdLife Species Factsheet]
* Protection of siberian cranes in the Armizon marshes, Tyumen Oblast: [http://www.sibeflyway.org/Western%20Flyway-web.htm]