Animal Guide

Demoiselle Crane

23 destinations · 15 states

Native Range: Central and eastern Asia, from Kazakhstan and Mongolia to China and parts of India

The demoiselle crane is smaller and more delicate-looking than many other cranes, but its long legs, slender neck, and bold black-and-white head markings make it easy to recognize. Watch a group for a while and their movements become even more interesting. They walk carefully across open ground while searching for seeds, grains, insects, and other small foods, then suddenly break into quick, energetic displays. During courtship, pairs may bow, jump, spread their wings, and call together in coordinated movements. Their calls can carry surprisingly far, especially when several birds are gathered. Demoiselle cranes also undertake long migrations, with some populations traveling thousands of miles between breeding and wintering grounds. At a zoo or wildlife park, their compact size can make them seem almost understated beside larger cranes, but the dark feathers sweeping back from the eyes and the fine white feathers around the neck reward a closer look. If a pair starts calling and displaying, the quiet walking bird you first noticed can become much more animated.

Demoiselle Crane

Where to see Demoiselle Crane

23 destinations across 15 states

23 destinations

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