The RSPB: Crane

Conservation status: Amber

The crane is a huge, graceful, mainly grey bird with long legs, a long neck and drooping, curved tail feathers. Small numbers pass through Britain in spring and autumn, and there is a tiny breeding population in eastern England. Numbers in Europe have declined over the last 300 years because of disturbance, shooting and drainage.

Overview

Latin name

Grus grus

Family

Cranes (Gruidae)

Where to see them

In Britain, migrating cranes are seen mostly in the south and east. The location of the single breeding site is kept secret to protect the birds.

When to see them

You are most likely to see migrating cranes in Britain in April and early May, occasionally in autumn.

What they eat

Seeds, crops, insects, snails and worms.

Population

Europe	UK breeding*	UK wintering*	UK passage*
-	c6 pairs	c40	c40

* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn.