Demoiselle Crane - description, habitat, interesting facts

Crane is understood as a large-sized bird, distinguished by its external data. Today, experts distinguish 4 main varieties of the crane family. Each species focuses subtypes, belladonna belongs to one of them.

Habitat

1. By distribution, there are about 6 populations of belladonna, they are all dispersed throughout the world and cover more than 45 states. Of course, these beautiful birds live in the vastness of our homeland. Today, the habitat affects almost the entire northern part. Birds prefer to nest in tropical regions, places with temperate, warm climatic conditions.
2. By the nature of the stay, these birds are migratory. They prefer to winter in hot countries, are in Africa. Cranes are found in India, Pakistan, etc. They fly off for wintering at the end of summer, sometimes drag out until the beginning of autumn.
3. In the course of the flight, individuals gather in huge flocks, numbering up to 400 goals. Going to winter, they are not at a great distance from the ground. Sometimes they group and inhabit together with gray cranes. Birds fly to the nesting sites, having already broken into small groups of 8 individuals.
4. When the birds fly, they periodically change places. Their voice is guttural, loud. During the flight, the birds literally blow their beak. Sometimes guttural sounds are made to signal birds of other families flying for the winter. A distinctive feature of cranes is the fact that they practically do not use wings in the process of flights. Enough measured wingspan, after which the birds calmly and for a long time soar.
5. As for the biotope, these birds love dry steppes. They are quite common in Eurasia. According to official data, they are classified as species that like to build homes for future offspring at a distance of up to 3 km. from sea level. They love rocky terrain, salt marshes, and not too dense vegetation. Try not to be in marshy areas. They can settle near agricultural enterprises and eat there.

Description

1. Earlier it was mentioned that this bird belongs to small-sized. It is not as big as other members of the family, but this does not become less beautiful. According to their overall features belladonna hardly reach 90 cm. This is with a body weight of up to 2.5 kg. The head is small, and the body is harmonious and large.
2. Pretty women have an elongated neck, it is very thin, but strong. When the cranes fly, they move their necks forward. Paws are thin and elongated, sharp claws are noted on the fingers.
3. The beak is not long in length, but strong. Slightly swells in the main part, and bends at the tip. The tail is medium in length, in wedge format. According to their external data, representatives of this species are similar to the order of the ankle.
4. The feathers are stiff, arranged densely. They are not too bright, however, the cranes are beautiful in color. Almost the entire part of the head is covered with black feathers.
5. The area under the tail is also darkish, as is the abdominal region, the chest. As for the back, wings, flywheel, tail at the top, all these parts are covered with feathers of gray-blue tone.
6. These birds are distinguished by the presence of whitish feathers located in the back of the eyes. Behind them are bundles. Where the beak begins, a site with a light gray plumage originates. He reaches the occipital area.
7. In these individuals, the irises have a dark reddish hue. As for sexual difference, all individuals are stained the same. Only their dimensions differ, for the most part the males are smaller.

Breeding

1. The considered individuals are monogamous and loyal to each other until the end of life. Often couples between birds form precisely in the places of their wintering. In the mating season, it is very interesting to watch the cranes. They begin to dance in front of each other, run across and bounce. In addition, they flap their wings and toss tufts of grass up.
2. If we compare belladonna with other representatives of the same genus, we can see that the individuals in question perform mating dance much more elegant and plastic. It is worth noting that the place for bird nesting is the land. Individuals choose dry places on arable land or in the steppe. In addition, there is a dwelling near the water.
3. The breeding season of cranes often falls precisely in the rainy season. It is worth knowing that the presented individuals are especially vigilant and careful when they are near the nest. For such birds, it is very important to choose a dry place for housing. In this case, individuals should have free access to a watering hole.
4. Birds make a nest by digging a small hole in the ground. You can often find nests without recesses. In most cases, egg laying occurs in May. The female is able to carry up to 3 pcs. The eggs are olive in color with red spots. Such eggs are very hard to spot on the ground.
5. After 1 month, offspring begins to appear. In most cases, it is the female who is engaged in egg laying. As soon as she goes to get food, the male without any problems takes the place of the landing. Often males spend most of their time guarding the territory and their family.
6. The male finds a small hillock near the nest and is engaged in observing the territory. He must fully view the surroundings and see the potential danger. If suddenly the male notices a threat, he begins to scream loudly, warning the female about the danger.
7. At this time, the female remains calm. She slowly rises from the nest and approaches the male. Such actions do not provoke predators to a swift attack. After that, the birds go a sufficient distance and fly away. Parents are confident that predators cannot find eggs on a level surface. After the danger has passed, parents return to their usual way of life.
8. Often, a predator can approach the nest, with which the presented individuals can quite cope on their own. Often it can be foxes, herons, dogs and steppe eagles. Cranes in this case bravely attack the offender, protecting their offspring.
9. If the parents suddenly lost the first clutch, the female is able to reproduce the second. As soon as the chicks are born, they can almost immediately leave the nest. Young growth follows parents and learns already independently to get food. In flocks, birds form already in late summer.
10. After 2 months, the chicks are already completely on the wing. Until the beginning of the next mating season, young animals remain in the family with their parents. After that, they form in flocks of the same nomadic and lonely individuals. Such birds reach puberty only after 2 years.
11. As soon as individuals reach the goal of their journey, they continue to stay in small groups for some more time. This can occur even after the cranes are paired. In flocks, the individuals considered are united in the evenings and mornings.

The individuals of this breed group are small in size when compared with other members of the family. By weight category, the individual does not exceed 2.5 kg. A distinctive feature of birds is considered to be a melodiously sounding voice, high croaking, distinguishing belladonna from other representatives of the species.

Video: Demoiselle Crane (Anthropoides virgo)