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Crane Facts & Worksheets

Any of the large, long-legged, long-necked, wading birds in the Gruidae family, cranes are composed of 15 living species found in all continents except Antarctica and South America.

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Any of the large, long-legged, long-necked, wading birds in the Gruidae family, cranes are composed of 15 living species found in all continents except Antarctica and South America. Flying with their necks outstretched, cranes are important parts of the wetland and grass plain habitats they inhabit.

See the fact file below for more information on the crane or alternatively, you can download our 21-page Crane worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

SPECIES

  • The subfamily of crowned cranes (Balearicinae) consists of one genus, Balearica, which is composed of two species: black crowned crane (Balearica pavonina) and gray crowned crane (Balearica regulorum).
  • The subfamily of typical cranes (Gruinae) has three genus, Grus, Anthropoides, and Bugeranus. The genus Grus consists of ten species: common crane (Grus grus), sandhill crane (Grus canadensis), whooping crane (Grus americana), Sarus crane (Grus antigone), Brolga crane (Grus rubicunda), Siberian crane (Grus leucogeranus), white-naped crane (Grus vipio), hooded crane (Grus monacha), black-necked crane (Grus nigricollis), and red-crowned crane (Grus japonensis). The genus Anthropoides has two species: blue crane (Anthropoides paradisea) and demoiselle crane (Anthropoides virgo). The genus Bugeranus has one species, the wattled crane (Bugeranus carunculatus).

DESCRIPTION

  • Cranes have a long beak, long neck, and long legs.
  • Although they resemble herons and other long-legged wading birds with large bills in the Ardeidae family of the Ciconiiformes order, molecular studies suggest that cranes belong to the Gruiformes order. They appear to be larger than herons with a heavier bill and an elevated rear toe.
  • The Sarus crane, Grus antigone, which is a resident in northern Pakistan, India, Nepal, Southeast Asia, and Queensland, Australia, is the largest crane, reaching 156 centimeters. Indian male Sarus cranes can reach a maximum height of about 200 centimeters with a wingspan of about 250 centimeters, making them the tallest extant flying bird.
  • The wattled crane, Bugeranus carunculatus, lives south of the Sahara Desert, is the largest crane in Africa and the second tallest crane species, with an average height of about 172 centimeters.
  • The whooping crane, Grus americana, whose name originates from its whooping call, is the tallest and only crane in North America, standing at nearly 150 centimeters with a wingspan of 230 centimeters.
  • Cranes thrive in wetlands and grass plains. Notorious for being opportunistic feeders that depend their diet on the season and their own nutrient requirements, they feed on different creatures from small-sized rodents, fish, amphibians, and insects, to grain, berries, and plants.
  • Some writers described cranes’ legendary pair-bonding fidelity according to the one issued scientific study of the mating stability of cranes. This study examined 69 pairs in a dense breeding population of sandhill cranes over 13 years and discovered 12 cases of “divorce” – and, therefore, 57 instances of stable union bonds – a strong documentation in comparison to the success rate of human marriages.
  • Migration over long distances also takes place in some crane species, while some do not migrate at all.
  • Cranes are sociable animals, forming large flocks. When the young sexually mature in their second or third year, they search for their mate through a pair-bonding approach that can take a number of days. Both sexes perform a “dance” and call together in an intricate manner, which includes leaping high in the air with wings spread out, tossing sticks or grass, flapping the wings, pumping the head, and bowing. Vocalizations, which occur with the dancing, arrive at a high point when the pair executes unison calling, an extended set of complex and coordinated calls. The two share in more dancing and calling while they are in the process of breeding. Once the pairs are established, most of them stay together for life.

CRANES IN CULTURE

  • Much of the crane’s appearance and behavior combines to create a species that distinctively claims human attention and affection.
  • Locomotion. They are bipedal, just like humans.
  • Height. Their height reaches 100 to 200 centimeters, which is roughly the same as for humans. There are also Greek myths about cranes and pygmies in combat at the headwaters of the Nile.
  • Lifespan. Cranes live for 30 to 40 years, which is almost the same as for pre-industrial humans, although some Asian cultures think cranes lived for a thousand years, making them a symbol for long life.
  • Pair bonding. They form monogamous lifetime couples, which is an ideal for humans, who in diverse cultures have viewed the crane as a symbol of marital fidelity and love.
  • Socialization. Cranes are gregarious animals that live as bonded pairs and families within a larger group, just like human communities.
  • Vocalization. They produce a rich variety of sounds that have specific purposes, similar to how humans use language as a means of communication.
  • Body language. Cranes display at least 90 different visual performances, and humans’ rich spoken language capabilities have the same functions as the crane’s body language.
  • Dancing. They perform at all ages and often in large flocks together; special dances take place for courtship and breeding. Just like cranes, humans also perform dancing rituals as part of some primitive cultures.

CONSERVATION STATUS

  • The Siberian crane, Grus leucogeranus, also referred to as the SIberian white crane or snow crane, takes third spot for the rarest crane species; however, it is assumed to be the most critically threatened due to current threats and the lack of conservation efforts to reverse the slide toward extinction. Within its parameter, the Siberian crane is viewed as an emblem of long life and good marriage. The red-crowned crane, with a count of 2,000 individuals, is the second rarest crane. The whooping crane, Grus americana, is considered endangered, although its numbers are increasing.
  • Among the 15 species of cranes, only the sandhill crane (Grus canadensis), Brolga crane (Grus rubicunda), Demoiselle crane (Anthropoides virgo), Eurasia crane or common crane (Grus grus), and gray crowned crane (Balearica regulorum) are considered to be least concerned species as listed by the IUCN.
  • Cranes are threatened by habitat destruction, hunting, and illegal capture for pet trade.

Crane Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about the crane across 21 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Crane worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the cranes which are composed of 15 living species found in all continents except Antarctica and South America. Flying with their necks outstretched, cranes are important parts of the wetland and grass plain habitats they inhabit.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • Crane Facts
  • Cranes Overview
  • A Crane’s Life
  • Test Yourself
  • Crane Species
  • Crane Quiz
  • Just Crane Stuff
  • Crane Wiki
  • Long-Legged Birds
  • Crane Story
  • Crane Origami

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Link will appear as Crane Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, February 5, 2021

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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