Sarus Crane (Grus Antigone)
This is a large grey bird with long
bare red legs, and naked red head and upper neck. It is an
impressively large bird that stands as tall as a man. Its habitat
constitutes the northern, central and northeastern parts of India and
as well as Bangladesh, Pakistan and Myanmar.
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Sarus Crane - A Symbol of Marital Bliss In India
They pair for life and locals in India believe that if one dies, the
other will die of a broken heart. This reverence has lead to
protection and in turn to a degree of trust and lack of fear of man.
It is often found near cultivated fields and marshlands as it is
essentially a dweller of open, well watered plains. The sarus is not
only a good spouse it is a good parent too, both the male and the
female keep guard over the nest and have been observed violently
attacking dogs and cattle who encroach in its area.
The sarus courtship display is one of the most magnificent bird
spectacles in the world. The couple bow, circle round each other with
outspread wings, throw back their long necks, take great leaps into
the air, all the while uttering their far reaching, trumpeting call.
Despite its size the sarus crane is a graceful bird, even in flight it
moves swiftly with rhythmical wing strokes, neck outstretched in front
and legs trailing behind. |
