Cranes are tall, elegant birds that live near wetlands, lakes and rivers. Cranes like the sarus crane are the tallest birds that fly. Types of Cranes: There are fifteen types of cranes divided into four groups:
Black-crowned and Grey-crowned (called crowned cranes)
Common or Eurasian, Sandhill, Whooping, Sarus, Brolga, Siberian, White-naped, Hooded, Black-necked, and Red-crowned or Japanese
Demoiselle and Blue
Wattled
Geographic Range: Cranes can be found in every country except in South America and Antarctica. Length: Adult cranes are from 2.5–6.0 feet (.76–1.8 m) tall. The demoiselle crane is the shortest. Wings: Cranes have large wings measuring from 5 to 10 feet (1.5 – 3 m) from wingtip to wingtip. Some cranes migrate with the seasons. Weight: Adult cranes can weigh from 4 to 18 lbs ( 2 – 7.8 kg ). Food: Cranes eat a variety of food including plants, fish, eels, crabs, shrimp, small reptiles, and insects.