Differences between Crane and Pelican

Crane and Pelican are two classes of birds that belong to the Gruidae and Pelecanidae 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.

A symbol of wisdom, Pelican is a water bird with broad wings and a long neck. It is characterised by its unique bill, which has a gular pouch near the neck. The bird uses the pouch to scoop up its feed. A Pelican also has wide wings, short tail, and short legs. Its family consists of eight species, which can be either white or brown in appearance.

Where are Crane and Pelican 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.

Pelicans are generally found near rivers, lakes, and coastlines. While the American White Pelicans prefer freshwater, the Brown Pelicans live near the coasts. Although native to Pacific, Atlantic, and Gulf coasts, Pelicans are lately found across the world, apart from Antarctica.

What do Crane and Pelican 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.

Pelicans are chiefly carnivores and fish is their staple food. The Brown Pelicans dive into water to catch their prey. However, other species make formations to force groups of fish into shallow waters so that they can be scooped up with their bill. Pelicans also eat other animals like turtles, shrimps, crustaceans, lobsters, crabs, lizards, and frogs. They have also been seen eating smaller birds.

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

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

Size of Crane and Pelican?

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.. Pelicans are large birds. They are generally 4.1-4.3 feet tall with a wingspan of 9-10 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 The average weight of Pelicans is 22-26 pounds. The male birds are larger and weigh more than the females. Dalmatian Pelicans are the largest among all species. They weigh about 30 pounds.

Where do Crane and Pelican 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.

The nesting habit of Pelicans depend on the species and geography. Nests could be constructed on sand, soil, or depressions on flat sites. The birds use grass, feathers, and sticks to pack the nests. In the wild, Pelicans build their nests beneath trees and shrubs. In places like Florida, they are also observed to build nests on mango trees. The birds lay up to four bluish white eggs at a time and hatch them for a month. They incubate the eggs using their feet. The young ones fledge when they are around 10 weeks old although they leave the nest to join the group when they are 17-28 days old.

How long do Crane and Pelican 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.

Pelicans can live for 15-25 years in the wild. The oldest living Pelican as in 2022 is 62 years old and lives at the Wellington Zoo, Australia.

Are Crane or Pelican 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.

Pelicans prefer warmer climates. Therefore, in winters they migrate from northern Europe and North America. However, Pelicans living in warmer regions of Asia and Africa rarely migrate or only travel small distances.

Do Crane and Pelican 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 Pelicans is called a squadron, scoop, or pod. Pelicans are sociable birds that live and migrate in groups. The American White Pelicans also work together to capture fish. Pelicans are also known to breed in groups and build their nests in colonies.

Are Crane or Pelican 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.

The White and Brown Pelicans are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and other conservation laws in the USA. Endangered species are protected in European countries like Bulgaria, Romania, and Greece and parts of Asia.

Are Crane or Pelican 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.

Not all species of Pelicans are endangered. Brown Pelicans were on the verge of extinction in the USA due to exposure to pollutants. However, the banning of DDT has helped a thrive in their population since 1985. Brown Pelicans face threat in the Gulf coast due to the oil spill. Across the world, increased urbanization and destruction of habitat is posing danger to the population of Pelicans. Plastic and other wastes in rivers and seas are causing injuries to the Pelicans’ pouch that is used to scoop up fish and other aquatic animals.

Can Crane and Pelican 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.

Pelicans are brilliant flyers. With their broad wings and the help of thermals, they can reach an altitude of 10,000 feet or more. They fly in groups through U and V formations to travel long distances. During migration, they travel 61-101 miles a day. The Great White Pelican is known to travel long distances and over massive seas for several days at a stretch.

Can Crane and Pelican 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.

Pelicans are water birds. They have webbed feet and are splendid swimmers. Some Pelican species even swim underwater to capture their prey.

Mating patterns among Crane and Pelican

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.

Pelicans start mating when they are three to five years old. Adult Pelicans grow a horn on tip of the bill besides gaining colorful plumage every breeding season. They usually breed in large colonies and in small islands where there is no fear of predators. The male bird protects the nest site for about three weeks before courtship. The bird also engages with other males in chasing the female. The breeding ground for North American White Pelicans are lake islands in north-central and western parts of North America. Similarly, Brown Pelicans breed at the tropical and subtropical coasts of Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

When is the mating season for Crane and Pelican ?

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.

The breeding season depends on the species and the location of the Pelican birds. North American White Pelicans breed during April-June, while the Australian Pelicans breed from winter until the beginning of spring. Brown Pelicans usually breed during March-April.

Do Crane and Pelican 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.

Pelicans are monogamous only during the particular breeding season. They change partners every season.

How do Crane and Pelican 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.

Pelicans roost in groups to stay safe from predators and preserve body heat during winters. They usually sleep while standing on both legs or by lying on their bellies.

Can Crane and Pelican 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.

In general, Pelicans are not eaten by humans. The birds have an oily and unpleasant flavor that make them uneatable. However, there have been instances in the past when American White Pelicans had been roasted, boiled, and eaten. Africans are also known to consume Pelicans by marinating them with salt for a few days.

Can you hunt Crane or Pelican?

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.

Pelicans are not victims to largescale hunting. Several countries have conservation laws to prevent hunting. Nevertheless, the US Fish and Wildlife Service allows licensed hunting during the Pelican breeding season.

Can you feed Crane or Pelican?

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. In captivity, Pelicans are fed fish, shrimps, and crabs.