Differences between Crane and Swan

Crane and Swan are two classes of birds that belong to the Gruidae and Anatidae 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.

Swans are intelligent, graceful, large birds belonging to the waterfowl genus. They have a long neck, big feet, and an orange-colored strong beak. Their eyesight is sharp and their auditory capacity is robust. They are also capable of producing a variety of sounds. Swans living in the northern hemisphere are known to have pure white plumage, while those in the southern hemisphere have a combination of white and black plumage.

Where are Crane and Swan 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.

Swans live near waterbodies like sluggish rivers, marshes, shallow ponds, and quiet lakes. The need an expanse of water or flat land to take off and land. The northern hemisphere is home to about five species of Swans, while there is one species each in South America and Australia.

What do Crane and Swan 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.

Swans are mostly herbivorous. They eat a variety of aquatic vegetation besides grazing on fields. While pecking food from waterbeds, the birds may also swallow molluscs, small fish, frogs, algae, beetles, insects, and worms.

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

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

Size of Crane and Swan?

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.. Swans are the largest among waterfowls and have huge bodies. They are usually about four feet tall and measure around five feet from the bill to their tail. Their wingspan could be 8-10 feet wide. The Trumpeter Swan of Canada and western USA is the biggest of Swan species with a height of 5.5 feet and a wingspan of 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 an adult Swan is 15-30 pounds. The males weigh heavier at 24-28 pounds, while the females weigh 21-23 pounds. The Trumpeter Swan is the heaviest among Swan species at around 30 pounds.

Where do Crane and Swan 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.

Swans generally build their nests in shallow and uncontaminated waters where there is sufficient food supply. The nests are closer to the shore and could either float on water or remain on marshes. They are usually made of dried grass, sticks, and plant material. The partners usually take two to five weeks to build the nest. The blue-grey eggs are incubated by both the male and female. They hatch after 35-41 days of laying. The young ones, known as cygnets, will be able to run and swim within few hours after hatching. Nevertheless, they also ride on the backs of their parents and fledge when they are four to five months old.

How long do Crane and Swan 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.

Swans live for about 9-12 years in the wild, where they face several threats like predators, lead poisoning, fishing net injuries, electric poles, and flying accidents. However, in captivity Swans can live up to 30 years. The longest-lived Swan was a Mute Swan, which died at the age of 40 years in 2009 in Denmark.

Are Crane or Swan 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.

Most species of Swans migrate during winters in search of food sources. Some species in the wild do not migrate at all. The Mute Swans of Europe do not migrate or only travel short distances. The Whooper Swan, also from Europe, is a migratory species that starts travelling in September-October. The Trumpeter Swans migrate during winters from North America to warmer regions. The Bewick’s Swan migrates from Russia to western Europe and eastern Asia. The Australian Black Swan migrates within the country depending on climatic conditions.

Do Crane and Swan 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 group of Swans is called a bevy or herd. Swans are sociable and flock together. They congregate in fields when some of the Swans find a food source. However, they follow a pecking order, where the senior birds must be revered highly. A group of Swans can sometimes be very noisy, making different types of sounds. Swans also migrate together, sometimes in gatherings of up to a 100.

Are Crane or Swan 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.

Swans are not protected in the USA as they are not native to the land. The birds can be hunted with a legal permit. The Mute Swans in the UK are all owned by the Queen and protected from killing. Hunting and killing of Swans is not allowed in several parts of Europe. Some Japanese Swans are protected under the International Treaty for Conservation. Similarly, Black Swans are protected in Australia under the National Parks and Wildlife Acts.

Are Crane or Swan 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.

The Trumpeter Swans were close to extinction in the USA in 1935. However, their population has recovered in the national parks. They are no longer considered endangered. The Bewick’s Swans of northwestern Europe are encountering a decline in population, probably due to climate change. Swans are believed to have existed in large numbers in India but are extinct now. A lone Mute Swan was however spotted in the state of Gujarat in 2022.

Can Crane and Swan 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.

Swans are the fastest flying waterfowls. They need a large area of water or ground to take off and land. They fly with their necks stretched out, while beating their wings slowly. They can clock speeds of 18-30 miles an hour, and fly at altitudes of 6,000-8,000 feet. The birds are known to fly several hundreds of miles a day during migration, when they fly in groups through diagonal or V formations. Baby Swans start flying when they are about six months old. The Mute Swan is the fastest of all Swan species as it can fly at a speed of 50 miles an hour.

Can Crane and Swan 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.

Swans are also remarkable swimmers. They have strong webbed feet that enable them to swim at good speeds. The Mute Swan is the fastest swimming Swan species. It can achieve speeds of 1.6 miles an hour.

Mating patterns among Crane and Swan

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.

Swans start mating when they are four to seven years old, although they are likely to find a partner by the time they are two years old. Courtship involves partners staring at each other, nodding their heads while facing one another, and beating their wings instantaneously. The partners usually lock their necks while mating. The female lays up to seven eggs, although not all at once. Both partners involve themselves in the construction of nests and incubation of eggs. The male is more aggressive in protecting the eggs and little ones from predators.

When is the mating season for Crane and Swan ?

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 among Swans may occur at any time of the year. However, in the northern hemisphere, the breeding season is generally from March to May each year. It is May-September in the southern hemisphere.

Do Crane and Swan 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.

Swans are monogamous birds. They stay together throughout their lives. However, when one of them dies, the surviving partner may find a new partner.

How do Crane and Swan 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.

Swans can sleep both on land and water, but they mostly sleep in water to avoid attacks from predators. While in water, they can sleep while standing on one or both legs. They can also sleep while floating on water by tucking their heads below their wings. The younger Swans generally sleep on the backs of their parents to keep themselves safe and warm.

Can Crane and Swan 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.

Swans were a delicacy in ancient times. However, in modern era, they are allowed to be eaten only in a few places. In the UK, only the Royals can eat the Mute Swans. In the USA, some people eat them as hunting the bird with permits is allowed. Swans are also eaten in Denmark.

Can you hunt Crane or Swan?

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.

Hunting Swans was common in medieval times when eating their meat was a felicity. Owning Swans in Europe was also a mark of dignity. However, conservation laws in many countries no longer allow hunting of Swans. In some countries like the USA, hunting is allowed only with legal permit.

Can you feed Crane or Swan?

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 Swans in public is not permitted in some countries. In the UK, citizens are requested to not feed the birds with bread as it is leading to ill-health among the birds. Swans are largely herbivores. Feeding them cookies, pastries, and bread will cause health hazards like digestive and reproductive problems. At the zoos, Swans are given leaves, lettuce, carrots, cabbage, and potatoes. They are also allowed to graze on grass.