Demoiselle Crane Anthropoides virgo

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Demoiselle Crane
The Demoiselle Crane is native to Central Asia, migrating south to south Asia/Africa in winter.
Demoiselle Crane
Demoiselle Crane
Demoiselle Crane
Small and delicate for a crane, it can reach some 80cm tall with up to 180cm wingspan.
Demoiselle Crane
Demoiselle Crane
Demoiselle Crane neck hackles The neck hackles
It is said to have been named "demoiselle" by French Queen Marie Antoinette because of its elegant and delicate build.
Demoiselle Cranes
Demoiselle Crane
Demoiselle Crane "What's up?"
The Demoiselle can be distinguished from the Common Crane by the shaggy black throat feathers covering/hanging from lower neck.
Demoiselle Crane head Some include it in the Grus genus of cranes.
Demoiselle Crane juvenile Juvenile with short hair cut and speckled throat
Demoiselle Crane Adult with flowing "hair"
Demoiselle Cranes
Demoiselle Crane ballet
Demoiselle Crane
Crane ballet: their courtship dance is said to resemble ballet.
Demoiselle crane flock Demoiselle flock
Demoiselle Cranes with chicks Pair with chicks in Kazakhstan
Demoiselle Crane in flight In flight
Demoiselle Cranes in flight
Demoiselle Cranes in flight
Demoiselle Cranes in flight
Demoiselles in flight - flight photos by Alexandra Makhnina in Kazakhstan.