Common Crane

Grus grus

Audubon Illustration

John James Audubon, Birds of America (1827-1838). Public domain.

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About the Common Crane

The common crane (Grus grus), also known as the Eurasian crane, is a bird of the family Gruidae, the cranes. A medium-sized species, it is the only crane commonly found in Europe besides the demoiselle crane (Grus virgo) and the Siberian crane (Leucogeranus leucogeranus) that only are regular in the far eastern part of the continent. Along with the sandhill crane (Antigone canadensis), demoiselle crane and the brolga (Antigone rubicunda), it is one of only four crane species not currently classified as threatened with extinction or conservation dependent on the species level. Despite the species' large numbers, local extinctions and extirpations have taken place in part of its range, and an ongoing reintroduction project is underway in the United Kingdom.

Source: Wikipedia

Classification

Scientific name: Grus grus
Family: Cranes
Order: Gruiformes

Similar species

Other members of the cranes family recorded in North America — a useful place to start if you are not certain of your identification.

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