Sarus cranes are considered the tallest of flying birds with a standing height of 1.8 m (5.9 feet). They can have a wingspan of 2.5 m and can weigh anywhere from 5 to 12 kg. These cranes have a very light gray colouration throughout their trunk with darker gray patches near the tips of their wings. The most prominent feature, however, is the bright red colouration on the head and top of the neck. The very top of the head has a white patch as well as a small white spot behind the eye. The beak tends to be white to light grey in colour, and the long legs have a pale red colouration. Males and females do not differ in their coloration, but males are typically larger than females. Adults and juveniles can be distinguished by their crown colour, that is, the colouration of the head. Juveniles (less than four months of age) have a solid “dull brick red” colour while adults have a “dark red colour with a bald patch on top.” |
