Sterkh - description, habitat, interesting facts

Today there are a lot of different species, not only animals, but also birds, which are endangered. In conservation areas and zoos, conservationists take many different measures so that endangered species retain their populations. Sterh - one of these birds. People call it the White Crane.

Description of Siberian Crane

The bird is majestic and beautiful, is a long-liver, as it can live up to 70 years. One cannot call the Siberian Crane a small bird, since its body size can reach 150 cm, and the length of its wings during its span - up to 2.5 meters. The adult crane weighs 8-8.5 kg.

This bird has a beautiful snow-white plumage, but it does not apply to the head and wings. The eyes and beak of the crane have a fiery red color. If a bird is encountered for the first time, it may seem like it has an aggressive look.Long beak, eye color red or light yellow. Paws straight, long, color is pale pink.

If the crane is young, then the color of its plumage will be light brown. Males differ from females in size and height, they are larger and taller.

Habitat of Siberian Crane

Cranes are protected by law and measures are regularly taken to combat its disappearance. In the spring the birds return to their homeland. They nest in places that people can not reach. Swamps, impassable forests and tundra are chosen for this. The bird lives in its place, until frost and cold begin.

The population of the white crane is divided into two groups - it is the western and eastern. Their difference is only in the nesting place. Around the world today there are about 3,000 Siberian Cranes. It is difficult enough to survive in the natural environment. The population does not cope with weather and natural conditions.

Nutrition

The bird from the family of cranes is not picky about food, and one can say that it is omnivorous.Her diet contains plant and animal foods. When there is no cold and it is still warm, the white crane gathers berries, seeds, catches frogs and insects, can fish, eats small birds and their eggs.

When the cold comes and the birds migrate to a warmer place for wintering, the basis of their diet are underwater rhizomes, sedges and small rodents living in the water.

Breeding Siberian Crane

White Crane - monogamous bird. The male chooses a female during the mating season and stays with her until its end. In late spring, they begin to nest. Watching the Siberian Crane during the mating games is very interesting, the individual performs movements similar to dance and sings songs. Having chosen a female, the crane picks up its head to the sky and starts making lingering sounds, after that it flaps its wings and jumps, it can throw up branches. So to say, these are courtship from the side of the male, at this time the female is standing and watching what is happening, pressing her wings to her torso.

Cranes nest in places well viewed. Before that, birds stock up on food and water.The construction of the nest occurs together, most often the place is in a shallow pond. Thus, they protect their chicks from hunters and other animals.

At one time, the Siberian Crane may lay one or two eggs. They are gray, have dark dots on the shell. Hatching lasts an average of 29 days, and after that chicks appear. The first six months, the chicks have blue eyes, but over time their color changes. Chicks from the very first day of life should be able to defend themselves. Usually only one chick remains of the brood, and the weaker one dies. After 70 days, the bird acquires a light brownish tint, and only after three years the young eaves turns into a white crane.

In order to reduce the extinction of these representatives, people try as much as possible to domesticate the birds in order to preserve them. In zoos, Siberian Cranes are held in pairs - it is believed that the two of them will get used more quickly and will be able to better adapt.

The conditions of the birds should be as close to natural. Often the settlement of a pair of cranes occurs on the banks of artificial ponds, where thick bushes and a lot of vegetation are planted.

The White Crane is such a bird that will not immediately be friends with a person and once again it will not suit him. They will not be fed from the human hand.

What is being done to protect the Siberian Cranes?

In addition, according to the project The Flight of Hope, which is controlled by the president himself, also grow small Siberian Cranes in captivity. Experts are engaged in preparing chicks for independent adulthood. To make it easier for the chick to perceive the environment, the workers of this nursery wear a costume in the form of a stork, he has specially made one sleeve like a crane head. So you need to be able to stroke the chicks (parents of cranes stroke their chicks with their heads).

The man fully trains the chick, starting from the search for food and ending with the flight,so that in the natural environment it was easier for him to survive. Using a special flying device, young Siberian cranes are lifted into the air, they are controlled below by people. To the place where the first white cranes accumulate, people accompany the young chicks, and then they settle down on their own with their relatives.

Interesting facts from the life of Siberian Cranes

1. In India, white cranes are called lily birds. Another Gandhi order was issued, which said to create a park for the wintering of Siberian Cranes with a special regime and special habitats of these birds.
2. Of all the types of cranes, the Siberian Crane can cover the greatest distance - it is about 5.5 thousand km. Twice a year, Siberian Cranes fly over 9 countries.
3. In Dagestan, white cranes came up with a legend: during migration they cross this country and people say that these are the souls of warriors. The poet Rasul Gamzatov has poems that are based on this legend.
4. When the Siberian Cranes begin the mating season, they sleep two hours a day.
5. The White Crane for the Khanty and Mansi is a sacred bird that is present in every ritual and generic totem.
6. The people of the Khanty will not disturb the bird - there is a certain ban for visiting placesnesting of Siberian Cranes in spring and summer.