Despite its large size, reaching up to 1.8 meters in height, the Sarus Crane can fly at an impressive speed of 72 km/h.
When thinking of large birds, many might consider ostriches or emperor penguins. However, many of the largest birds on the planet cannot fly. So, what is the tallest flying bird? This title belongs to a crane with a distinctive red head, known for its loud and resonant call.
The Crane Family (Gruidae) consists of 15 species that possess slender bodies. Among them, the Sarus Crane (Grus antigone) is the tallest flying bird, standing up to 1.8 meters tall and with a wingspan of about 2.5 meters. This is a non-migratory species found in the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and northern Australia. They nest in low-lying wetlands and flooded rice fields.
Parent Sarus Cranes nurturing their young. (Photo: Mukund Kumar).
The Sarus Crane primarily feeds on insects, fish, plants, and grains. Adult individuals weigh between 5 to 12 kg, with males generally larger than females. Despite their size, they can reach impressive speeds, capable of flying at 72 km/h.
Many crane species exhibit elaborate courtship behaviors, and the Sarus Crane is no exception. To attract potential mates and possibly establish territory, they often perform complex dancing and calling displays. Their vocal cords are so powerful that their calls can be heard from several kilometers away.
Alongside their massive bodies and loud calls, the nests of Sarus Cranes are also quite large. These nests can have a diameter of over 1.8 meters and are used to incubate 1 or 2 eggs each year. Both the male and female cranes share the responsibilities of incubating and raising the young.
Even though there are not many natural predators on land, the Sarus Crane is currently classified as vulnerable in the Red List by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This bird species is threatened by habitat loss due to land development and agriculture, pesticide poisoning, hunting, and egg collection.
Additionally, families of deceased Sarus Cranes often return to check on the bodies, leading to risks of electrocution from power lines along roads, according to expert K. S. Gopi Sundar from the Nature Conservation Foundation. However, Sundar has also observed them teaching their young to avoid these deadly power lines.
“They emit a distinctive call when approaching power lines while flying. This helps the young cranes know that they should move up or down to avoid the wires,” Sundar stated.
Efforts are being made to conserve the Sarus Crane, particularly in their breeding areas. Experts are seeking to protect wetland areas and restore population numbers through captive breeding projects.
