Two distinguishing characteristics of cranes are an elongated trachea and a uniquely constructed windpipe, allowing these exotic birds to emit extraordinarily loud trumpeting sounds that can be heard for several miles during breeding season. Renowned for their graceful and joyful dances, cranes perform this ritual at all times of the year. Their diet consists primarily of vegetation, but they also feed on worms, snails, insects, and occasionally frogs, lizards, mice and young birds. Cranes live to a ripe old age, but do not reach reproductive maturity for several years after birth. These graceful birds prefer open landscapes and marshy areas, such as bogs and the shores of lakes and ponds. All crane species brood in sheltered areas on the ground, small islands among marshes, or in shallowwater. The only exception is the crowned crane, which occasionally builds its nest in low trees. Crane nests are quite large and are usually constructed of dried plants. The beautiful blue crane, however, lays its eggs on the ground without any nesting materials. This graceful bird inhabits the steppes of South Africaand, like all crane species, is tenacious regarding its breeding ground, often returning even after disturbances. This loyalty to a particular breeding site has contributed to the endangerment of the species.
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