15 crane species - Kraniche (en)

Altogether 15 different crane species live on our planet, which are distributed over five continents. All belong to the bird order Gruiformes and the bird family Gruidae. Their size, age, distribution and threat status vary from species to species. The smallest crane species has a size of only 90 cm (Demoiselle Crane), while the biggest species (Sarus crane) can reach a size of up to 175 cm, which is similar to the body size of adult humans. All crane species are connected with wetlands, which are necessary for breeding and to raise their juveniles. This dependency from wetlands, which are threatened in many regions, often leads to a population decrease in many crane species.

Eurasian (Common) Crane

Scientific name: Grus grus
Body size: 120 - 130 cm
Population size: > 700,000
Breeding distribution: northern Eurasia (Western & Northern Europe, European Russia, Western and Central Siberia; ssp. grus), Turkey & Caucasus (ssp. archibaldi)
Winter distribution: Iberian Peninsula, France, Germany, northern Africa, Turkey, SW Asia, Indian Subcontinent, China, Eastern Africa (mainly Ethiopia)
Subspecies: two (grus, archibaldi)
Threat status (IUCN): least concern

Sandhill Crane

Scientific name: Grus canadensis
Body size: 90 - 120 cm
Population size: > 800,000
Breeding distribution: arctic and subarctic North America, Eastsiberia (ssp. canadensis), mid-continental NW North America (ssp. tabida), southern Georgia and Florida (USA; ssp. pratensis), SE Mississippi (ssp. pulla), Cuba (ssp. nesiotes)
Winter distribution: lake Chad, Sudan, Ethiopia, Indian Subcontinent
Subspecies: five (canadensis, tabida, pratensis, pulla, nesiotes)
Threat status (IUCN): least concern

Demoiselle Crane

Scientific name: Anthropoides virgo
Body size: 90 - 100 cm
Population size: 170,000 - 220,000
Distribution: Northwest Africa (extinct?), Ukraine and southern Russia, Central and East Asia
Winter distribution: lake Chad, Sudan, Ethiopia, Indian Subcontinent
Subspecies: none
Threat status (IUCN): least concern

Blue crane

Scientific name: Anthropoides paradiseus
Body size: 100 - 110 cm
Population size: 25,000-30,000
Breeding distribution: South Africa, Namibia
Winter distribution: South Africa, Namibia (non-migratory)
Subspecies: none
Threat status (IUCN): vulnerable

Wattled Crane

Scientific name: Bugeranus carunculatus
Body size: 120 - 150 cm
Population size: > 9,600
Breeding distribution: Ethiopia, eastern South Africa, central and southern Africa
Winter distribution: Ethiopia, eastern South Africa, central and southern Africa (non-migratory)
Subspecies: none
Threat status (IUCN): vulnerable

Siberian Crane

Scientific name: Leucogeranus leucogeranus
Body size: 120 - 140 cm
Population size: 3,600-4,000
Breeding distribution: Western Siberia (nearly extinct), Northeast Siberia
Winter distribution: Iran, lake Poyang/China
Subspecies: none
Threat status (IUCN): critically endangered

Hooded Crane

Scientific name: Grus monacha
Body size: 95 - 115 cm
Population size: 14.500 - 16.000
Breeding distribution: NE China, SE Russia (Siberia)
Winter distribution: China, Korean peninsula, Japan
Subspecies: none
Threat status (IUCN): vulnerable

Whooping Crane

Scientific name: Grus americana
Body size: 130 - 150 cm
Population size: 849 (in captivity and wild)
Breeding distribution: Wood Buffalo National Park (Canada), Florida, Wisconsin
Winter distribution: Aransas National Wildlife Refuge (Texas), Florida
Subspecies: none
Threat status (IUCN): endangered

Black Crowned Crane

Scientific name: Balearica pavonina
Body size: 90 - 100 cm
Population size: 43,000 - 70,000
Breeding distribution: Western Africa (ssp. pavonina), Eastern Africa (ssp. ceciliae)
Winter distribution: Western Africa (ssp. pavonina), Eastern Africa (ssp. ceciliae), non-migratory
Subspecies: two (pavonina, ceciliae)
Threat status (IUCN): vulnerable

Grey Crowned Crane

Scientific name: Balearica regulorum
Body size: 105 - 110 cm
Population size: 26,500 - 33,500
Breeding distribution: southern Africa (ssp. regulorum), East Africa (ssp. gibbericeps)
Winter distribution: southern Africa (ssp. regulorum), East Africa (ssp. gibbericeps)
Subspecies: two (regulorum, gibbericeps)
Threat status (IUCN): endangered

Sarus Crane

Scientific name: Grus antigone
Body size: 145 - 175 cm
Population size: 15.000 - 20.000
Breeding distribution: Pakistan, Northern India, Nepal (ssp. antigone), Indochina and Myanmar (ssp. sharpie), northern Australia (ssp. gilliae)
Winter distribution: Pakistan, Northern India, Nepal (ssp. antigone), Indochina and Myanmar (ssp. sharpie), northern Australia (ssp. gilliae), mainly non-migratory
Subspecies: three (antigone, sharpii, gilliae)
Threat status (IUCN): vulnerable