The Siberian crane, also known as the Siberian white crane or the snow crane, is a bird of the family Gruidae, the cranes. They are distinctive among the cranes: adults are nearly all snowy white, except for their black primary feathers that are visible in flight, and with two breeding populations in the Arctic tundra of western and eastern Russia. The eastern populations migrate during winter to China, while the western population winters in Iran and (formerly) in Bharatpur, India.
Region
Northeast Asia
Typical Environment
Breeds in isolated wetlands across the Arctic tundra of eastern and western Siberia, nesting on shallow bogs and sedge-dominated marshes. Eastern birds migrate along the East Asian Flyway to the Yangtze River floodplain, especially Poyang Lake in China. A remnant western group has wintered in northern Iran, and the historical wintering grounds included northwest India. During migration it relies on large stopover wetlands and floodplains with secure roosting areas.
Altitude Range
0–1200 m
Climate Zone
Polar
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Siberian crane is one of the most distinctive cranes, gleaming white with contrasting black primary feathers visible only in flight. It breeds on remote Arctic tundra bogs and undertakes one of the longest migrations among cranes to winter wetlands in China and Iran. The western/central flyway population has nearly vanished, while conservation attention now focuses on safeguarding the eastern population and its critical wintering lakes.
Mughal era painting of a Siberian crane by Ustad Mansur (c. 1625).
Juveniles at Oka Nature Reserve nursery
A Siberian crane family at Poyang Lake, Jiangxi, China
Map Signatories to Siberian Crane memorandum (MoU)
Temperament
wary and territorial on breeding grounds, social in winter flocks
Flight Pattern
strong flier with steady wingbeats and soaring glides on thermals
Social Behavior
Pairs form long-term monogamous bonds, performing elaborate dances and duet calls. Nests are built on shallow-water hummocks with 1–2 eggs and strong biparental care. Family groups migrate together, often joining larger flocks at staging wetlands.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Loud, resonant bugling calls carry over long distances, especially during displays. Pairs give synchronized duets, and contact calls keep family groups coordinated during flight and foraging.
