Grus leucogeranus
Siberian crane

Siberian cranes have three regional populations: eastern, central, and western. These populations range from arctic Russia in Yakutia to western Siberia. The central population breeds on the basin of the Kunovat river in Russia. During winter, these cranes migrate to the Keoladeo National Park, India. Between the Kolyma and Yana rivers and south to the Morma mountains is the range of the eastern breeding population. Non-breeding birds summer in Dauria, on the border of China, Mongolia, and Russia. Main wintering sites are in the middle to lower reaches of the Yangtze river, Poyang Hu lake, China, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan. Western populations breeding in the Tyumen District, Russia. They winter in Fereidoonkenar and Esbaran in Iran. ()

Siberian cranes nest and feed primarily in bogs, marshes, and other wetlands with wide expanses of shallow fresh water and good visibility. They are found mainly in lowland tundra, taiga/tundra transition, and taiga biogeographic regions. ()

These thin, white birds stand at 1.4 m and have wingspans of 2.1 to 2.3 m. Siberian cranes weigh 4.9 to 8.6 kg. Adults can be identified by their white plumage with the exception of the primaries, which are black. Located on the forecrown, forehead, face, and side of the head is a featherless cap which is brick red in color. Young cranes do not have this cap, instead they have feathers in that area and their plumage is cinnamon in color. The chicks eyes are blue at hatching, changing after about six months. Adult Siberian cranes have reddish or pale yellow eye color and reddish-pink legs and toes. It is difficult to distinguish males from females because they are similar in appearance; however, males tend to be slightly larger than females. A unique characteristic is their serrated bill, which aids in catching slippery prey and assists with feeding on underground roots. ()

Siberian cranes have been known to live at least sixty-two years in captivity. Records exist, however, of particular cranes living for more than eighty-two years. The lifespan of Grus leucogeranus in the wild is unknown at this time, but predicted longevity is shorter than highest lifespans reached in captivity. ()

Unlike most cranes, G. leucogeranus is not a very social species. Individuals are territorial during both breeding and winter seasons. Family flocks are relatively small, made up of about 12 to 15 birds. Siberian cranes are the most aquatic in the genus Grus, using the wetlands for feeding, nesting, rooting, and other behavioral displays. Throughout the day birds roost in shallow water, nest, preen, and attend to their young ones during breeding season. At night, Siberian cranes rest on one leg while the head is tucked under the shoulder. ()

While roosting they remain separate from sarus crane groups (Grus antigone), which inhabit the same ponds. Sarus cranes are common at wintering areas and forage in habitats ranging from dry crop-lands to fairly deep water. Sarus cranes are larger, so often dominate the shallow foraging areas. ()

Although dancing is not directly connected with the reproductive cycle in Siberian cranes, it does reflect their excitement. A crane will dance at any time and with any, or no partner. This behavior includes leaping and bowing. The head and neck are brought forward from a fully vertical posture to a position with the neck and head reaching downward and backward between the legs. Also the dance lacks the parade step as well as throwing objects into the air.

Siberian cranes use both visual and vocal displays in their pair bonding displays. Their voice has been described as melodious, yet peculiar. Vocalizations include: guard calls, flight-intention calls, contact calls, stress calls, alarm calls, food begging calls, location calls, as well as the unison call exhibited during courtship. These vocalizations are learned at an early age and maintain the social interactions of both the mating pair and the group.

Vocalization is usually complemented by visual communication in the form of dancing. Certain calls require certain body movements. The unison call mentioned in the reproductive section is a prime example of the connection between auditory and visual communication. Other forms of expression consist of tail fluttering, threat postures, such as hissing, growling, and stamping, feather ruffling, preening of the back of the thigh, flapping, and rigid strutting. It has been noted that these cranes are more vocally active in the afternoon rather than the morning, and possibly well into the evening during roosting. ()

Omnivorous in its diet, Siberian cranes eat a variety of food items. They forage during the early morning and afternoon, using their serrated bills to extract roots and tubers from wetland ponds. Siberian cranes are primarily herbivorous, but during the breeding season they include more animal matter and fruits in their diet, including insects, small mammals, snails, worms, fish, and cranberries. ()

There is little information on possible predators. Gulls and jaegers prey on eggs on breeding grounds. ()

In general, Siberian cranes are omnivores in their eating habits affecting the wetland areas they reside in by feeding on plant roots and shoots. Additionally, these cranes host parasites, such as tapeworms (Cestoda) and capillarids (Capillaria). ()

Siberian cranes sometimes cause root damage to crops as they feed on roots and shoots. ()

The characteristic mating dances of Siberian cranes have inspired many cultures and been incorporated into their own dances. Grus leucogeranus images are found can be found on ancient cave walls dated to 6,000 years. The ancient tomb of Ti in Egypt shows an accurate picture of two cranes. Russian tradition celebrated the crane’s loyalty by songs referring to the cranes as soldiers returning to their homeland. These magnificent birds are also hunted or trapped for food or as pets. Measures have been taken to diminish certain threats by establishing sanctuaries and enforcing conservation laws. ()

Through habitat loss and degradation, Siberian cranes are critically endangered and on the brink of extinction. The conversion of grasslands, dams and water diversion, urban expansion and land development, changes in vegetation, pollution and environmental contamination, and collision with utility lines are all threats that affect populations of G. leucogeranus. Direct exploitation through over-hunting, poaching, poisoning, and trapping are additional causes of population depletion. Of the seven species of endangered cranes, Siberian cranes are the most endangered. Breeding and wintering grounds are in constant danger of being further destroyed by human expansion. ()

Majestic Siberian cranes have been described as poetry in motion because of their slow and deliberate movements. Their voices are said to be flute-like tones that float down like music from the sky. Siberian cranes can call continuously when they fly during migration. The world’s oldest living bird, named "Wolf", listed in the Guiness Book of World Records, is a Siberian crane which died at the age of 82 at the International Crane Foundation in Wisconsin. Because of their known longevity, the Japanese display pictures and statues of cranes at their marriage and birth ceremonies. They are symbols of health and prosperity and a life without war, therefore these birds are the symbol of peace. ()