Scientific Name: Grus antigone Common Name: Sarus Crane
Identifying Features: large grey wings, head and upperparts of neck are red, greyish crown, and a long greenish-grey pointed bill, long pink legs
Fun Facts:
- World’s tallest extant flying bird.
- The species is venerated in India and legend has it that the poet Valmiki cursed a hunter for killing a sarus crane and was then inspired to write the epic Ramayana.
- It is widely believed that the sarus pairs for life and that death of one partner leads to the other pining to death. They are a symbol of marital virtue.
This image was clicked by Koshy Koshy – via Flickr.
Where have you seen this bird? Let us know in the comments below. You can also share a photo of this bird clicked by you by sending it to birdwatcher@delhigreens.org
-It is the state bird of Uttar Pradesh!
-They breed in monsoons
– During mating, they dance around each other, the male gives a single call while the female utters two!
-Both sexes look similar, the male only slightly larger in figure!