Field ID: Cranes

 

Mixed flock of Black and Bugler Cranes, highlighting differences in size and color. Images and illustrations provided by the Museum of Novasola.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, Novasola was often called "the land of cranes" for its sheer abundance of cranes. Now their numbers are greatly reduced, but both of Novasola's two endemic crane species survive today. These are the Bugler Crane, Leucogeranus leucolaimos and Black Crane, Grus nigra, which may be difficult for the untrained to distinguish, so these visual guides are meant to help clarify some of the major differences.

For the field guide entry on Black Cranes click here. For the entry on Bugler Cranes, click here.

Because both crane species use similar habitats and may be found together in mixed flocks, the best ways to tell apart the species are differences in plumage, voice, and abundances. To start, Bugler Cranes are far more common; Black Cranes are extremely rare and will not likely be observed accidentally.

In plumage Bugler Cranes and Black Crane are almost complete inverses of each other. While Black Cranes are dark overall with white wings, Bugler Cranes are light overall with darker wings. They have white necks, light gray bodies, and dark gray wings. The bare patch of brick-red skin covers their entire face, whereas in Black Cranes the bare skin is on the crown. Bugler Cranes have pinkish legs, which may even appear red, while Black Cranes have dark legs. Black Cranes are larger as well, and easily stand out among Bugler flocks. 

In flight, Black Cranes have an obvious and distinct color pattern with a black body and contrasting white wings with a black trailing edge. Bugler Cranes however appear grayish overall and have darker wings and a white tail.

Their calls are also distinct. Black Cranes have deeper, more complex calls which almost have a rattle or trill-like quality, while Bugler Cranes have higher-pitched, more monotone honk-like calls. Both are loud and can echo for great distances, but the Bugler Crane is much more vocal overall and is almost constantly calling.

Both cranes have a long history of cultural representation. They feature prominently in indigenous mythology and spirituality, as well as art. They are both featured on the state's official seal, and the Black Crane is the official state bird. 

Original sketches by Richard Reichwald, 1902, featuring both species. Having observed very few wild cranes himself, Reichwald had to rely heavily on older accounts for descriptions of the birds.