Damoselle Cranes at Oasys MiniHollywood

 

Smaller than the common crane, the demoiselle crane (Anthropoides virgo) has a more elegant appearance, a more attenuated caudal area, and a shorter neck and bill.

It is currently threatened in the wild, so the arrival of this pair at Oasys MiniHollywood is a ray of hope for the European Captive Breeding Program (EEP) for this precious species.

Although it has been extinct in Spain for many years thanks to historical dating and fossil records, its reproduction is assured at the end of the 20th century in marshes and lagoons in Andalusia, Extremadura and Castilla la Mancha. Currently in free life it is distributed between the continents of Asia, Northwest Africa and the western part of Europe.

It feeds on the green parts of plants, seeds, insects and other invertebrates. In summer especially, it can consume some small vertebrate and they reproduce in April-May. The female lays 2 greenish-gray eggs with brown and gray spots, which she incubates alone. The male takes care of her, briefly substituting for her. Chicks hatch after 27-28 days.

The demoiselle crane is one of the 15 species of crane existing throughout the world. Adult specimens are characterized by their ash coloration on the chest and wings and black on the neck. Another peculiarity of these animals is the intense orange color of their eyes, with white feathers that emerge from the rear corner of the eyelids to the back of the head.

Let’s hope that next spring love will emerge in our couple. Come see them at Oasys MiniHollywood.