tall and graceful; grey-plumaged; black face, neck (Zoo; 2008-10-21)


Demoiselle Crane
Anthropoides virgo

Native Range: Eurasia

Notes: the smallest species of crane; found in grasslands near water in Central Asia from the Black Sea to northeastern China; highly migratory, spending winters in Africa or India (meaning that they must cross the Himalayas on their journey, sometimes flying at altitudes reaching 25,000 feet); these beautiful birds have symbolic and even religious meaning to many of the people they encounter on their arduous travels.


white stripe behind eye extending onto neck; reddish bill (Zoo; 2008-10-21)

red iris; grey back and wings (Zoo; 2012-10-09)

foraging pair; little sexual dimorphism (Zoo; 2012-10-09)