Sarus Crane - Description

Description

The adult Sarus Crane is very large with grey wings and body; a bare red head and part of the upper neck; a greyish crown; and a long greenish-grey pointed bill. In flight, the long neck is held straight, unlike that of an heron, which folds it back, and the black wing tips can be seen; the crane's long pink legs trail behind them. This bird has a grey ear covert patch, an orange-red iris and a greenish-grey bill. Juveniles have a yellowish base to the bill and the brown-grey head is fully feathered.

Measurements
G. a. antigone
Culmen 172–182 mm (6.8–7.2 in)
Wing ?
Wing 670–685 mm (26.4–27.0 in)
Wing 625–645 mm (24.6–25.4 in)
Tail 255–263 mm (10.0–10.4 in)
Wing ?
Tarsus 310–355 mm (12.2–14.0 in)
Wing ?
Combined
Culmen 156–187 mm (6.1–7.4 in)
Wing 155–169 mm (6.1–6.7 in)
Wing ?
Wing 514–675 mm (20.2–26.6 in)
Tail 150–200 mm (5.9–7.9 in)
Wing 100–200 mm (3.9–7.9 in)
Tarsus 269–352 mm (10.6–13.9 in)
Wing 272–350 mm (10.7–13.8 in)
Weight 8.4 kg (19 lb)

The bare red skin of the adult's head and neck is brighter during the breeding season. This skin is rough and covered by papillae, and a narrow area around and behind the head is covered by black bristly feathers. The sexes do not differ in plumage although males are on average larger than females; male Sarus of the Indian population can attain a maximum height of about 180 cm (5.9 ft) making them the world's tallest extant flying bird. The weight of nominate race individuals is 6.8–7.8 kg (16 lb), while five adult sharpii averaged 8.4 kg (18.5 lb). Across the distribution range, the weight can vary from 5 to 12 kg (11–26 lbs), height typically from 115 to 167 cm (45–69 in) and the wingspan from 220 to 250 cm (87–100 in). Birds from Australia tend to be smaller than birds from the north.

In Australia, the Sarus can easily be mistaken for the more widespread Brolga. The Brolga has the red colouring confined to the head and not extending into the neck.

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