Differences between Crane and Heron

Crane and Heron are two classes of birds that belong to the Gruidae and Ardeidae families respectively.

Cranes are graceful tall birds with long neck, long legs, and long bill. They are ancient birds. Their fossil, assessed to be 2.5 million years old, have been found in Florida. Cranes are wading birds that resemble Herons. They are generally white, gray, or brown in color. Their forehead is a bright red, while their bill is large and pointed. The Crane family consists of 15 species.

Herons are intelligent birds of medium to large size. They are a symbol of beauty with long legs and neck. They are wonderful aviators that can fly at a speed of nearly 30 miles an hour. The Heron family includes several species such as Egrets and Bitterns.

Where are Crane and Heron found?

Cranes prefer grasslands, wetlands, marshes, canals, ponds, and shallow waters. Nevertheless, they can also be found near agricultural fields. They are not intimidated by humans. Cranes are a common sight across the world, except Antarctica and South America.

Herons live near freshwater and coasts. While most species are found in the tropics, they do exist in lowland and alpine areas. They can be seen in all parts of the world, except Antarctica.

What do Crane and Heron eat?

Cranes are omnivores. They mostly eat fish, rodents, and insects. When they are close to wetlands, they eat worms, snails, and tiny invertebrates. In dry places, they eat grains, nuts, leaves, seeds, berries, small reptiles, and insects.

Herons are carnivores that feed on the boundaries of rivers, seas, ponds, and lakes. They are named as one of the smartest birds for their skills in advanced feeding habits and procurement of food. They usually feed on aquatic animals such as fish, frogs, reptiles, insects, eels, and crustaceans. In winters, when these water animals move down to deeper waters, herons manage to hunt smaller birds, rabbits, and squirrels on the land.

Here are a few pointers about the eating patterns between Crane and Heron

• Both Crane and Heron eat Fish.
• Both Crane and Heron eat Frogs.
• Both Crane and Heron eat Lizards.
• Both Crane and Heron eat Snakes.
• Both Crane and Heron eat Turtles.
• Both Crane and Heron eat Squirrels.
• Gophers are commonly eaten by Crane, but not by all Heron.
• Crane do not eat Baby Ducks while Heron eat Baby Ducks.
• Mice are eaten by both Crane and Heron.

Size of Crane and Heron?

When it comes to size, Cranes are thought to be the tallest flying birds in the world. They generally grow up to four to five feet tall. They also have a wide wingspan of about nine feet. The Whooping Crane is the tallest bird in the USA with a height of five feet. The Sarus Crane is the tallest flying bird in the world at 5.12 feet.. Herons are generally about three feet tall. They have broad wings, usually twice their body size. The wings spread out to measure 5.5-6.5 feet.

The average weight of Cranes is 6.6-13.4 pounds. The Red Crowned crane is considered to be the heaviest of all Crane species at 20 pounds. while Herons usually weigh 4.6-7.3 pounds. The males are bigger and weigh more than the females.

Where do Crane and Heron nest?

Cranes generally build their nests in shallow freshwater and marshy areas. The nests are made of weeds, grass, and plant material. However, Crowned Cranes build their nest in low trees, while Sandhill Cranes construct them in the Arctic. Cranes lay two eggs at a time, with the incubation period being 28-30 days. Both male and female partners engage in rearing the young ones, which live with them until the following breeding season.

Herons construct their nests close to feeding areas like wetlands and lakes. The nests are built on tall trees to stay safe from predators. It is the female that builds the nest from twigs, roots, and dead grass gathered by the male. The female generally lays three to five eggs that have an incubation period of around 25 days. Once the eggs hatch, both female and male partners participate in getting food for their young ones.

How long do Crane and Heron live?

The average lifespan of Cranes is 20-30 years. Mortality is high among younger Cranes of less than three years due to predation. A Siberian Crane had lived up to the age of 62 at the National Zoological Park, Smithsonian Institute, USA. A Siberian Crane lived longer – it was 83 years old when it died.

The average life expectancy of a Heron is five years in the wild. Some young ones do not survive after the first year due to scarcity of food, while some of them fall prey to predators. The longest surviving great wild blue heron is known to have lived for 23 years.

Are Crane or Heron migratory birds?

Some species of Cranes migrate long distances, while some of them are non-migratory. Some Siberian Cranes fly from western Siberia to south India, while Common Cranes migrate across Europe and Asia. Some species also migrate to northeast India. Sandhill Cranes are considered to migrate the longest distance, travelling between Siberia and Mexico every year. Other species like Demoiselle Cranes, Hooded and Red Crowned Cranes also migrate long distances to countries like China, Russia, and Japan each year.

Herons are very mobile, however their migration depends on where they are. They prefer warmer climates, so tend to migrate in winters. After the breeding season, the birds explore new feeding areas and migrate alone or in small groups of 12 during the night. The Grey Herons are mostly residential and stay put in Britain and other parts of Europe. On the other hand, the Great Blue Herons migrate from March to May every year, flying around 7,000 feet above sea level.

Do Crane and Heron fly in flocks?

A group of Cranes is called a sedge. Cranes, especially the Sandhill species, form large flocks. They are gregarious birds that congregate together during migration and winters. However, they prefer solitude and live in pairs during the breeding season.

A flock of Herons is called a siege or colony. Herons are mostly solitary birds – they migrate alone or in small groups. However, during the breeding season in spring and summer, they live in colonies. This practise helps them to nest together and protect their young ones from predators.

Are Crane or Heron protected?

In the USA, Sandhill and Whooping Cranes are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Cranes are protected in the UK, where they had become extinct about 400 years ago. The Common Crane or Grus Grus is a protected species in the European Union. The Great Sarus Crane is protected in India along with efforts of conservation of other migratory species.

Herons are an important part of the ecosystem at wetlands. Therefore, they are protected birds under the law of the USA, Great Britain, Ireland, France, and many other countries. This means that killing or trying to kill a Heron is a punishable offence.

Are Crane or Heron endangered?

Cranes were widespread in the world. However, their population is gradually declining, especially of some species. This can be attributed to loss of wetlands and marshes, rise in deforestation and urbanization, hunting of birds for meat and feathers, inadequate regulations for conservation, collision of birds with electric power lines, and fatigue and death of birds during migration. The Siberian Crane is the most endangered species. Whooping Crane, Blue Crane, and Hooded Crane are other species that are facing the danger of extinction.

Herons are not endangered, however their population may be reducing owing to destruction of their natural habitats and scarcity of food. Meanwhile, some Heron species like Humblot’s Heron and White-bellied Heron are labelled as critically endangered.

Can Crane and Heron fly?

Cranes are considered to be the tallest flying birds in the world. They fly with their head and neck stretched out and legs trailing behind. During migration, they fly 200 miles in a day using the warm air to achieve height and drift. These birds can fly at an altitude of 16,000-26,000 feet above sea level. Demoiselle Cranes migrate over the Himalayas at an altitude of 26,000 feet to enter India. The Siberian Crane flies almost 10,000 miles in a year for migration.

Herons have a wide wingspan that allows them to fly at speeds of nearly 30 miles an hour. Further, they have 12 rectrices that help them maneuver while flying. The bird is known to cover up to 2,500 miles in six days. Their wings open up wide, their long legs trail freely, while their neck retracts into an S shape during flight.

Can Crane and Heron swim?

Cranes cannot swim as they do not have webbed feet. The chicks however swim and follow their parents in the marshes. Adult Cranes avoid deep waters and generally live near shallow waters where they can wade through with their long legs.

Herons are not basically water birds. They find their catch on the margins of lakes, rivers, and shores – or hover on water to dive in and catch a fish. They have slightly webbed feet, so they may be able to swim occasionally.

Mating patterns among Crane and Heron

Cranes generally start breeding once they are three to five years old. They breed once a year during the breeding season. They perform elaborate dances involving sophisticated footwork during courtship. They also perform unison calling, which according to scientists strengthens the bond between the male and female besides defend territory. Both partners engage in picking up straws and plant material to build the nest. They even use the same nest for multiple years.

Herons start mating when they are about three years old. During the breeding season, the male and female birds undergo color changes and develop the nuptial plumage. Herons engage in breeding once a year, atop tall trees in case of larger herons and in bushes for smaller ones. The male and female Herons engage in Circle Fight, Greeting Ceremony, and courtship displays for several days to abate their natural aggression, after which the male demonstrates a gesture of acceptance by offering a stick for the nest to the female.

When is the mating season for Crane and Heron ?

The breeding season depends on geography and species. In the case of migratory species, it is usually during the summer. In the case of other species, the breeding season corresponds with the monsoon.

Mating season for Herons is usually during March-May in the northern hemisphere and November-April in the southern hemisphere.

Do Crane and Heron mate for life?

Most cranes mate for life. They are monogamous for life or until one of them dies. The partners may break up and find new ones if breeding attempts fail.

Herons go through extensive mating rituals, which enhance the bond between the male and female. They stay together for an entire breeding season and sometimes for a few years – however not for life. The birds change partners about four times in their lifetime.

How do Crane and Heron sleep?

Cranes sleep at night, usually with one or both legs in water and head bent down. They sometimes also sleep while standing on the ground. Cranes however sleep closer to their nests during the breeding season in order to protect the eggs and little ones from predators.

During the day, Herons rest in peaceful and protected places with their neck bent. Sometimes they also sleep standing in water so that vibrations caused by the entry of predators will wake them up. At night, they sleep on high trees to keep themselves safe from the predators on land.

Can Crane and Heron be eaten?

Cranes are edible and are widely consumed by humans since ancient times. It is recorded in history that the Christmas feast hosted by King Henry II in 1251 involved the meat of more than one hundred cranes. Some countries still allow hunting and consumption of Cranes.

Herons have been part of human meals since bygone times. They were generally roasted or boiled and eaten with spices. The fat in a Heron’s body was thought to have medicinal benefits. However, consumption of Herons has reduced drastically as they are protected birds under the law.

Can you hunt Crane or Heron?

Hunting Cranes is allowed in several states of the USA. It is also allowed in Canada with the acquisition of a permit. However, hunting the birds is not allowed in some countries like India. Unregulated hunting and easy to obtain hunting permits allow people to kill Cranes for their meat and feather.

Herons used to be hunted by humans for meat and feathers besides for sport. However, the bird is now protected by the laws of several countries. They are also protected under treaties for migratory birds. Therefore, hunting Herons is illegal.

Can you feed Crane or Heron?

Feeding wild animals and birds in public places is not permitted in places like USA, Singapore, and Dubai. In captivity, Cranes are fed worms, small fish, lizards, and insects besides grains, berries, and fruits.

Feeding wild animals and birds in public places is not permitted in places like USA, Singapore, and Dubai. If you have to feed a Heron in captivity, feed it with fish, frogs, meat, and eggs.