The black necked crane summers mainly in the high altitude Tibetan Plateau. The breeding areas are alpine meadows, lakeside, revine marshes, and riverways. They also make use of barley and wheat fields in these areas. Wintering areas tend to be in sheltered valley or lower altitudes.The largest populations are in northern sikkin. The medium-sized crane is mostly grey with a black head and neck. The lores and crown are naked and dull red. A small patch of white feathers below and behind the eye. The tail is black and easy to distinguish at a distance from the similar looking common crane witch has a grey tail.

 

Like many other crane species, they are believed to form long lasting pair bonds and dancing displays that are made during the breeding season. The breeding birds are territorial and will chase any any intruders of the same species. The nest site is usually a pre- existing mud island inside a large shallow wetland. The nest varies from a scantily lined scratch in the ground. of a structure made of grass,rushes,and weeds. Sometimes the eggs are laid directly on the grass with no structure.

 

The estimated population of the Black-necked Crane is between 8800 and 11000 individuals. These birds are legally protected in China, India and Bhutan. However habitat modification, drying of lakes and agriculture are threats to the populations. In many areas, dogs belonging to herders are a major threat to young birds. Collisions with power lines has been another cause of mortality in some areas.Eggs may also be preyed on by ravens that may use the opportunity proved when humans disturb the parents.

 

The nest varies from a scantily lined scratch in the ground to a structure made of grass, rushes and weeds with a depression in the centre, sometimes the eggs laid directly on the grass without any structure.Eggs are laid mainly in May and June. One or two eggs. The birds are relatively more wary when the young ones are small. Till the time when the young ones are able to fly, the family kept moving around the nesting location, but later the family started traveling far and wide in the course of a day. Black-necked Cranes forage on the ground in small groups, often with one bird acting as a sentinel.

 

Author:Jacob D
Published: 02/2014

photo credit:chinatibet.people.com.cn