Habitat: Grasslands and wetlands
Status: Least Concern
DAK Locale: Tree of Life Gardens
The demoiselle crane is found throughout Eurasia. They are migratory. The birds that summer in central Europe will winter in Africa. The cranes that summer in Central Asia, China and Mongolia will spend the cooler months in India and Pakistan. In northern India and Pakistan, the bird is known as the koonj and is important in the culture as a symbol of beauty and grace. It is also a symbol of perilous journeys in art and literature. It figures prominently in the Hindu epic, Ramayana.
They are found in a wide variety of environments in Europe, Asia and Africa. Typically, they prefer to be close to streams and lakes but will be found in grasslands and even deserts. They do use vegetation, however, to protect their nests which are on the ground. Like most cranes, their call is a trumpet like sound. They also have an elaborate mating dance.
The bird is perhaps most famous for its migration. The birds of central Asia and China cross the Himalayan mountains during their route. This is done in groups of as many as 400 although many die from hunger and fatigue. Wintering, these birds gather in groups that number in the thousands. Within these huge groups, smaller flocks maintain themselves. In one village in India, these massive flocks have become a tourist attraction as villagers feed the birds attracting thousands to congregate in the town.
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