Differences between Crane and Thrush

Crane and Thrush are two classes of birds that belong to the Gruidae and Turdidae 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.

Thrush is a small and stout song bird. It has a large round head, pointed bill, short tail, and soft plumage. Its eyes are usually large with eye rings. The legs are long and sturdy, while the toes are flexible for perching. The bird’s skin is generally reddish brown on the back and white on the belly with spots or stripes. The color varies for different species. There are about 170 species of Thrushes. Wood Thrush, Blackbird, American Robin, Song Thrush, Ground Thrush, Hermit Thrush, and Himalayan Forest Thrush are some of them.

Where are Crane and Thrush 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.

Thrushes live in forests and places with tall trees, damp soil, foliage filled grounds, and streams. They also live near human dwellings provided there are tall trees, vegetation, and water sources in the vicinity. Thrushes can be found in North Africa, southern Europe, New Zealand, Australia, Asia, Canada, and parts of America.

What do Crane and Thrush 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.

Thrushes are omnivorous birds. They hop and run looking for food on the ground. They eat snails, earthworms, grasshoppers, spiders, beetles, wasps, slugs, larvae, insects, invertebrates, fruits, and cherries.

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

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

Size of Crane and Thrush?

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.. Depending on the species, Thrushes are five to 12 inches long with a wingspan of 12-16 inches. Mistle Thrush is one of the largest Thrush species. It is 11.41 inches long.

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 Thrushes is 1.52 ounces. Song Thrush is one of the heaviest among Thrush species. It weighs 1.76-3.77 ounces.

Where do Crane and Thrush 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.

Thrushes build their nests in trees and bushes, sometimes even on the ground or below shrubs and tall trees. The nests are meticulously constructed with sticks, grass, leaves, and moss. The materials are neatly bound using dung or mud to create perfect structures. It is usually the female Thrush that builds the nest. She takes about three weeks to complete the task. The nest are used for multiple broods. Thrush eggs are glossy blue with a smooth texture. The eggs of few species could have brown speckles. The mother bird incubates the eggs for about two weeks, after which they hatch. The responsibility of feeding the young ones is shared between the parents. The chicks are ready to fledge when they are two weeks old.

How long do Crane and Thrush 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 lifespan of Thrushes is two to 12 years. American Robin has the shortest life expectancy of two years, while Wood Thrush is known to have the longest lifespan of eight years. The longest-lived Thrush bird was a Swainson’s Thrush. It was 12 years and one month old when it was caught for banding in 2006 in Montana, USA.

Are Crane or Thrush 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.

Majority of Thrush species are migratory. Some species like Wood Thrush migrate twice a year. Birds of this species travel long distances, crossing the Gulf of Mexico in one night. Redwing Thrush migrates southward from the east coast of UK. Some species from Scandinavia travel to the UK, while some of them relocate from UK to Spain and north Africa. In America, the species living in coasts move towards Mexico and Central America in winters. Thrush species living in inlands will spend the winter in South America. Thrushes from northeast Europe migrate to north and south Africa. Asian species such as Eyebrowed Thrush migrate from China, Japan, and Korea to Thailand, Singapore, and the Philippines. The Himalayan Thrush relocates from the Himalayas during winters to the western ghats in India.

Do Crane and Thrush 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 Thrushes is known as mutation. Most species are predominantly solitary birds. They may form small groups of 50 for roosting and feeding if there is abundant food in the vicinity. Some species may forage with their family in summers. However, Thrushes are highly territorial in nature, defending their territories year after year.

Are Crane or Thrush 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.

Thrushes are protected in some parts of the world, such as the UK, France, Canada, India, and Australia. Killing or capturing them is against the law in these countries.

Are Crane or Thrush 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.

Thrushes are largely not endangered birds. However, Taita Thrush is a species that is listed as endangered. A very small population of them exist in Kenya. Principe Thrush is another endangered species that is endemic to Principe, Italy. Spotted Ground Thrush is also considered to be endangered. Meanwhile, the population of certain species like Song Thrush, Bicknell’s Thrush, Tickell’s Thrush, and Laughing Thrush is reducing drastically due to scarcity of food, loss of habitat, and predator threats. Grand Cayman Thrush, Bonin Thrush, and Kamao Thrush are the extinct species.

Can Crane and Thrush 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.

Thrushes are amazing avian birds. They have sprawling wingspan for excellent aerodynamics. The birds spread out their wings and tail, and tuck in their legs during flight. The flying speed of Thrushes depends on the species. The average speed is 30-50 miles an hour. Most species fly long distances during migration. Wood Thrushes travel over 2,000 miles on a single way, covering more than 311 miles in a day.

Can Crane and Thrush 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.

Thrushes are not water birds. They have clawed feet for perching. The birds are not known to swim. They bathe in small puddles.

Mating patterns among Crane and Thrush

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.

Thrushes attain sexual maturity when they are one to two years old, subject to the type of species. At the arrival of the mating season, the male bird chooses a breeding site. He perches there, singing loudly to attract a mate. When the female favors a male and the nesting site he has chosen, she engages in courtship. The partners fly, sing, and feed together while perching intermittently. The female Thrush lays three to five eggs in a clutch, one egg each day. Some species may have more than one brood in a year. While the female builds the nest and incubates the eggs, she gets the support of the male in feeding the young ones.

When is the mating season for Crane and Thrush ?

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 mating season for Thrushes occurs differently based on the species and geography. The duration is usually March-August.

Do Crane and Thrush 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.

Thrushes are monogamous for the particular breeding season. Most birds stay loyal during the period. However, extra-pair copulation has been observed.

How do Crane and Thrush 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.

Thrushes are not sociable birds. They do not often roost in groups. They prefer to sleep amidst dense vegetation. During the breeding season, female birds usually sleep at the nest.

Can Crane and Thrush 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.

The meat of Thrush birds was commonly consumed in Europe in earlier years. Thrush meat cuisines from Italy, France, Ireland, and Belgium are documented. However, the birds are not widely eaten in modern times.

Can you hunt Crane or Thrush?

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.

Thrushes are hunted for sport or caught with nets in several parts of the world. There are not adequate laws to protect the birds. Countries like France, USA, and Canada prohibit hunting of these birds.

Can you feed Crane or Thrush?

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.

People in Australia, New Zealand, France, UK, and USA are known to have feeding stations at their backyards and gardens to attract birds like Thrush. Thrush species are offered cherries, worms, soaked raisins, corn, and fruits.