Sarus Crane: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Cranes and Marsh Birds · day 1 of 7

Five facts

1. Standing up to 1.8 m tall, the sarus crane is the tallest bird in the world that can fly.
2. Pairs trumpet together in duets. Even though the birds look alike, you can pick out the male's part and the female's part in the song.
3. Their nest is a little island of reeds and mud, over 2 m wide and nearly 1 m high. A pair may fix up and reuse it for five seasons.
4. When danger is near, parents give a low "korr-rr" call. It tells their chicks to freeze and lie perfectly still.
5. Sarus cranes dance all year round. One bird jumps and bows while circling its partner.

The quiz

1. What record does the sarus crane hold?

• Smallest crane in the world
• Tallest flying bird in the world (correct)
• Fastest swimming bird
• Longest bird migration

At up to 1.8 m tall, it is the tallest of all flying birds.

2. What can listeners pick out in a sarus crane pair's duet?

• The age of each bird
• The country they come from
• Which part is the male and which is the female (correct)
• How many chicks they have

The male's and female's parts in the duet can be clearly told apart.

3. What is a sarus crane nest like?

• A hole dug in a riverbank
• A small cup high in a tree
• A large island of reeds in shallow water (correct)
• A bare patch of sand

Pairs pile up reeds and mud in shallow water to make an island more than 2 m wide.

4. What do chicks do when they hear the low "korr-rr" call?

• Freeze and lie still (correct)
• Run to the nearest tree
• Call back loudly
• Jump into deep water

The alarm call signals the chicks to freeze and lie still.

5. What moves are part of the sarus crane's dance?

• Rolling in the mud
• Spinning upside down in flight
• Diving under the water
• Jumping and bowing around a partner (correct)

One bird jumps and bows as it circles around its partner.

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