Birds of a Feather: Gruidae – Cranes

There are around 10,000 bird species on this planet, and this series will introduce you to some of the families that make up the class of birds known as Aves. We will review each family’s evolutionary history, distribution, natural history, fun facts, and look at conservation concerns for the family as a whole. This series is intended for birders who are looking for a deeper understanding of avian taxonomy and biology. This class is part of a series (more classes soon!). Each class is standalone and must be purchased separately.

Birds of a Feather: Gruidae – Cranes Discover the evolutionary and natural history of the world’s tallest flying birds! There are 15 species in this family, our local member being the Sandhill Crane. We will discuss the latest theories on how cranes fit into the avian evolutionary tree. Then we will examine their ranges, migration, foraging habits and breeding behavior. Discover with us the intricacies of their incredible vocal duet performance and spectacular mating dances. Sadly, cranes are among the most endangered avian families in the world. Eleven of the fifteen species are threatened with extinction. We will specifically discuss the plight of the critically endangered Whooping Crane.