Among the birds of the world, the 15 species of cranes are among the most beautiful. Many cultures celebrate their species of crane in their dances and legends. The crane is the national bird of several nations, appearing on national emblems, currencies and postage stamps.
Due to threats to their grassland, wetland and tundra habitats, chiefly because of increased and intensive agricultural operations, 10 of the species face possible extinction and are the subject of captive breeding programs throughout the world.
Cranes are found in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and North America. Their fossil record goes back at least 55 million years, making the crane one of the earliest known members of the avian family.
Cranes range from Arctic regions to the southernmost lands of Africa.
Several species of cranes make seasonal migrations spanning continents.
Each of the 15 species have differing dances and calls.
Crane diets are varied. They are known to eat plants, seeds, insects and small animals.
Cranes often mate for life and enjoy long lives. The oldest known crane lived for over 80 years in captivity.
Most cranes lay two eggs per clutch on an annual basis.
Unlike most other birds, crane nostrils penetrate the beak from side to side, without a dividing septum.
The site is organized geographically, by continent. As the seasonal migration of several species can span one or more continents, the site features that crane on only one page, where its range is detailed.
All photos and the video in the site were taken by the author (with the excepiton of the Red-Crowned Crane and Sandhill Crane appearing on the Eurasian and North American page, which are from other websites).
Most of the information comes from the book "Reflections: the Story of Cranes", by Gretchen Holstein Schoff, Revised and edited by Richard Steeves, Betsy Didrickson and Jim Harris. Originally published in 1991, reprinted in 1997 and revised in 2007. Copyright is held by the International Crane Foundation, Baraboo, Wisconsin, USA.