Species profile
About this species
The Common Crane is a large, elegant wading bird standing around 115 cm tall, with predominantly grey plumage, a striking red crown patch, & bold black & white head markings. It is a highly migratory species, breeding across northern Europe & Asia & wintering in warmer southern regions including Spain & North Africa. Known for their spectacular courtship dances & loud, trumpeting calls, Common Cranes are often seen travelling in large, noisy flocks during migration.
Common Cranes favour open wetlands, shallow lakes, reedbeds & marshes for roosting, alongside agricultural fields & grasslands where they forage for grain, roots & invertebrates. During the breeding season they inhabit boreal forests & taiga wetlands across northern Europe & Asia.
Where to photograph
Where our trips feature this species
You can photograph Common Crane with us in Greece & Hungary.
These departures are part of our Europe programme.
In the field, Alison Jenkins & Robin Lowry helps guests make the most of these encounters.
Field notes
Photography notes
Autumn & spring migration periods offer the most dramatic photography opportunities, particularly October to November & February to March. Dawn & dusk are ideal times of day when cranes roost communally & take flight in large groups against colourful skies.
Position yourself near known roosting or feeding sites before dawn to capture cranes in golden morning light as they lift off en masse. Use a long telephoto lens of at least 500mm to capture close detail without disturbing the birds, & employ a sturdy tripod to keep images sharp in low-light conditions. During migration stopovers, scout the site the day before to identify flight paths & pre-focus on likely areas to maximise your chances of sharp, well-composed flight shots.
Available holidays
Trips featuring Common Crane
The holidays below are pulled from the same species relationship, so the guide stays tied to live departures rather than becoming a static article.