Common Crane

The common crane, or Eurasian crane, is slate-grey overall, 100–130 cm long with a wingspan of 180–240 cm and a weight of 3–6.1 kg. The forehead and lores are blackish, the crown is bare and red, and a white streak runs from behind the eyes to the upper back. The plumage is darkest on the back and rump and palest on the breast and wings. It has a loud, piercing trumpeting call, given in flight and display, that carries a long way (Wikipedia, general species account).

Every two years, before migration, adults undergo a complete moult and are flightless for six weeks. Eggs are usually laid in May (Wikipedia, general species account).