Wildlifeof Nepal
Demoiselle Crane
Cranes, Rails & BustardsAnthropoides virgo
Basic stats
Habitat
Open areas with sparse vegetation, usually near water; farmland and shallow water in winter
Range
Breeds across central Eurasia from the Black Sea to Mongolia and north-east China; Asian birds winter in the western Indian subcontinent
Incubation period
27-29 days
Size
85-100cm
Wingspan
155-180cm
Weight
2-3kg
The demoiselle crane is the smallest crane, 85 to 100cm long with a wingspan of 155 to 180cm and weighing 2 to 3kg. Its plumage is similar to the common crane's, with a long white neck stripe and a black foreneck plume that extends over the chest. It has a loud trumpeting call, higher-pitched than the common crane's, and its dance display is more balletic, with less leaping (Wikipedia, general species account).
It breeds in open, sparsely vegetated areas, usually near water, across central Eurasia from the Black Sea to Mongolia and north-east China. Asian birds winter in the western Indian subcontinent, gathering in large flocks on farmland and roosting in shallow open water. Eggs, usually two, are laid in April and May and hatch after 27 to 29 days; the chicks fledge at 55 to 65 days. The source does not describe Himalayan crossings or Nepal records (Wikipedia, general species account).
Quick answers
- What habitat does the Demoiselle Crane live in?
- Open areas with sparse vegetation, usually near water; farmland and shallow water in winter
- Where is the Demoiselle Crane found?
- Breeds across central Eurasia from the Black Sea to Mongolia and north-east China; Asian birds winter in the western Indian subcontinent
- How long are the eggs of the Demoiselle Crane incubated?
- 27-29 days
- How big is the Demoiselle Crane?
- 85-100cm
- What is the wingspan of the Demoiselle Crane?
- 155-180cm
- How much does the Demoiselle Crane weigh?
- 2-3kg