The Demoiselle crane (Grus virgo) holds the distinction of being the smallest among crane species, boasting a graceful demeanor that has inspired comparisons to the elegance of beautiful women. Distinguished by its slightly smaller size in comparison to the Common crane, the Demoiselle crane shares a similar plumage, featuring a lengthy white neck stripe and a black foreneck extending down over the chest in a distinctive plume. The head of the Demoiselle crane is adorned with feathers, lacking the bare red patches of skin commonly observed in other Gruidae species. Breeding in Central Eurasia, spanning from the Black Sea to North East China and Mongolia, the Demoiselle crane migrates to wintering grounds in the Indian subcontinent and sub-Saharan Africa. During the winter, the Demoiselle crane utilizes cultivated areas in India and roosts in nearby wetlands.

Source: The North Africa Journal January 22, 2024 18:41 UTC