Sarus Crane - The World's Highest Flying Bird

Despite its large size, up to 1.8m in height, the red-crowned crane is capable of flying at an impressive speed of 72km/h.

When it comes to large birds, many people may think of ostriches or king penguins. But many of the largest birds on the planet cannot fly. So what is the tallest flying bird? That title belongs to a crane with a distinctive red head and a loud, resonant cry.

The crane family ( Gruidae ) includes 15 species, possessing a slender body. Of these, the red-crowned crane ( Grus antigone ) is the tallest flying bird, with a height of up to 1.8m and a wingspan of about 2.5m. This is a non-migratory bird , living in the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia and northern Australia. They nest in low-lying wetlands and flooded rice fields.

Red-crowned crane parents raise their chicks together. (Photo: Mukund Kumar).

Sarus cranes usually eat insects, fish, plants, and seeds. Adults weigh 5-12 kg, with males being larger than females. Despite their large size, they can reach impressive speeds, reaching 72 km/h.

Many crane species have elaborate courtship displays, and the red-crowned crane is no exception. To attract the attention of a mate, and possibly to establish a territory, they often perform elaborate dance and call displays. Their larynxes are so powerful that the sounds they make can be heard from miles away.

Along with their massive bodies and resounding calls, Sarus cranes also have large nests. These nests can be over 1.8m in diameter and are used to incubate one or two eggs each year. Both parents incubate and feed the chicks.

Despite having few ground predators, the Sarus Crane is currently listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. The bird is threatened by habitat loss due to land development and agriculture, pesticide poisoning, hunting, and egg collection.

Additionally, families of dead red-crowned cranes often return to check on the carcasses, putting them at risk of further electrocution from power lines along the road, according to Gopi Sundar, an expert at the Wildlife Conservation Society. However, Sundar has also seen them teach their young to avoid these deadly wires.

'They make a special call when they come close to the wire while flying. This tells the chicks that they should move up or down to avoid the wire ,' said Sundar.

Several efforts are being made to conserve the red-crowned crane, especially in its breeding grounds. Experts are looking to protect wetlands and restore populations through captive breeding projects.