Wildlifeof Nepal
Sarus Crane
Cranes, Rails & Bustards
Photo: Rejoice Gassah · CC-BY
Antigone antigone
Basic stats
Diet
Roots, tubers, insects, crustaceans and small vertebrates, from marshes and shallow wetlands
Habitat
Open wetlands; builds a reed and grass nest island nearly two metres across
Range
In Nepal, western and central lowland plains, mostly Rupandehi, Kapilvastu and Nawalparasi
Size
Up to 1.8m tall
The sarus crane is the tallest of the flying birds, standing up to 1.8m, and is easily told from other cranes in the region by its overall grey colour and the contrasting red head and upper neck. It has grey wings and body, a bare red head, collar and nape, a greyish crown and a long, greenish-grey, pointed bill. In flight the long neck is held straight and the black wing tips show (Wikipedia, general species account).
In Nepal its distribution is restricted to the western and central lowland plains, with most of the population in Rupandehi, Kapilvastu and Nawalparasi districts. It forages on marshes and shallow wetlands for roots, tubers, insects, crustaceans and small vertebrates. The main breeding season is the wet season, when the pair builds an enormous nest island of reeds and grasses, nearly two metres across, high enough to stay above the water.
Quick answers
- What does the Sarus Crane eat?
- Roots, tubers, insects, crustaceans and small vertebrates, from marshes and shallow wetlands
- What habitat does the Sarus Crane live in?
- Open wetlands; builds a reed and grass nest island nearly two metres across
- Where is the Sarus Crane found?
- In Nepal, western and central lowland plains, mostly Rupandehi, Kapilvastu and Nawalparasi
- How big is the Sarus Crane?
- Up to 1.8m tall