Grus nigricollis
The Black-necked Crane, *Grus nigricollis*, is a majestic, medium-sized crane, instantly recognizable by its striking appearance. Adults stand approximately 115-139 cm (45-55 in) tall with a wingspan of 200-235 cm (79-93 in) and weigh 5-6.8 kg (11-15 lbs). Its most distinctive features include a slate-grey body, contrasting with a jet-black head and neck, a bright red crown patch, and a prominent white patch of feathers behind the eye. There is minimal sexual dimorphism, though males tend to ...
This crane primarily inhabits high-altitude wetlands, marshy meadows, and lake shores for breeding, transitioning to river valleys and agricultural fields at lower elevations for wintering.
Their diet is omnivorous, primarily consisting of roots, tubers, rhizomes of aquatic plants, insects, snails, worms, small fish, and occasionally small rodents, supplemented with grain and grass in wintering grounds.
Black-necked Cranes are diurnal, typically foraging during the day and roosting in shallow water at night. They exhibit strong territoriality during the breeding season, defending their nesting areas with vocal displays and aggressive postures. Their elaborate courtship involves complex, synchron...
The Black-necked Crane exhibits a restricted geographic range primarily centered on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Its breeding grounds are found across high-altitude wetlands, marshy areas, and lake shores of the Tibetan Plateau, spanning regions of China (especially Qinghai, Sichuan, Gansu, and T...
Vulnerable
- The Black-necked Crane is the only crane species that breeds exclusively on the high-altitude Tibetan Plateau, often at elevations exceeding 4,500 meters (14,760 feet). - In Tibetan culture, these cranes are considered sacred, embodying the spirit of the plateau and often seen as symbols of goo...