Common Crane (Grus grus)

Common crane (Grus grus) are a large wetland bird, around 1 - 1.2m tall with a wingspan of 1.8-2.2m (fig. 1). Adult breeding plumage consists of a grey body with a rusty brown back and darker wings, a black and white head and neck, and a red patch on their hindcrown. Common crane will nest in wetland areas such as bogs and their diet consists of food plant material, grain, and insects (Svensson et al, 2020). Common crane typically live to 13 years old, breeding at 4 years (BTO, 2023).

Population & Distribution:
Common crane are an uncommon migrant species to the North East of Scotland, with small numbers every year recorded on passage. Common crane once bred regularly in Scotland but were hunted to extinction in the UK in the 16th century. A small population has been breeding in Norfolk since the 1970s, but then in 2012 one pair fledged one chick in the North East of Scotland (SOC North East Scotland Branch, n.d.). This successful breeding attempt marks the first confirmed breeding record in Scotland for hundreds of years. Between 2012 and 2022 there has been at least 20 chicks fledged from the North East of Scotland (fig. 2). Their return to the area is unusual as it has been a natural recolonisation.

The majority of sightings of common crane along the East Grampian Coast come from Loch of Strathbeg, with the remaining sightings reported from the Ythan Estuary and adjacent areas (SOC North East Scotland Branch, n.d.).

Conservation Status:
Common crane are an Amber listed species due to their breeding and non-breeding rarity in the UK (Stanbury et al, 2021).

Factors Impacting Common Crane:
Predation of chicks, probably by foxes (Vulpes vulpes), appears to be the main limiting factor for common crane breeding success in the North East. Common crane are secretive and sensitive to disturbance and nesting sites remain undisclosed to the public in order to protect this small breeding population (SOC North East Scotland Branch, n.d.).

Report any sightings to BirdTrack, or NESBReC via the link below.