The Common Crane (Grus grus), also known as the Eurasian Crane, is a bird of the family Gruidae, the cranes.
This species breeds in northern parts of Europe and western Asia. It is a long distance migrant wintering in Africa and southern Europe. Migrating flocks fly in a V formation.
In Great Britain it became extinct in the 17th century but a tiny population now breeds again in the Norfolk Broads. These birds are occasionally seen with flocks of migrating Sandhill Cranes in western North America.
The crane is a large stately bird, 44 inches long. It is grey with white facial streak and a bunch of black plumes on its tail. Adults have a red crown patch.
It has a loud trumpeting call, given in flight and display. It has a dancing display, leaping with wings uplifted.
It will eat insects, small birds and mammals.
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