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INDIAN SARUS CRANE
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Grus antigone antigone
HOUSE NAME: Male "Mork" Female "Mindy"
*Hatched in 1972, "Mork" is the eldest resident at LRZ.
HABITAT: Watered plains, marshes, swamps, and riverbanks of Southern Asia and India
CONSERVATION STATUS: Vulnerable
FUN FACT: To the people of India, the Sarus crane is a symbol of a happy marriage. Elaborate dances performed by the cranes were once thought to be just a mating ritual. They have since been seen performing dances in all seasons. The dance combines leaping, bowing, prancing, and calling in duet.
DIET: Vegetation of any kind, worms, snails, and insects. Occasionally they will eat frogs, lizard, mice, and young birds.
DESCRIPTION: This 5 foot tall bird is the largest of the world’s 14 species of cranes. Plumage is entirely blue-gray except for a band of white around the lower neck and whitish wing tips. The pointed greenish gray bill is shorter than most cranes. The head and upper neck are bare with red skin. Black feathers cover the nape and sides of the neck. The legs and feet are pinkish-red. The iris is orange. Sexes appear very similar although the hen may be slightly smaller.
IMAGES: Sexes are very similar in appearance. To differentiate between the pair currently at LRZ, "Mork" the male has a notice able dent in his wing. "Mindy" the female is a bit more vibrant in color.
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