Animal Info -> Photo Gallery 1

Crane - Stylish earthly birds

• Kingdom : Animalia
• Phylum : Chordata
• Class : Aves
• Order : Gruiformes
• Family : Gruidae

Cranes are large ancient group that are large, long-legged and long-necked birds. There are up fifteen species of cranes present in the globe. These earthly bird stalks are found in marshes and plains. They are found all over the world except in Antarctica and South America. Cranes have a long bill, and neck. Cranes might look similar to herons but they are distinguished from the similar type by their flight. Since cranes fly with their neck outstretched.

Cranes are known for their call that is loud and sounds like a trumpet. These sounds can be herd for miles. They are also known for their jumping and rhythmic dance. Crane species can migrate over a long distance while the cranes in the warmer countries do not migrate. Cranes prey on small animals, grains and grass shots. The species is highly become extinct because of hunting and habitation.

Painted Stork - broad winged soaring bird

• Kingdom : Animalia
• Phylum : Chordata
• Class : Aves
• Order : Ciconiiformes
• Family : Ciconiidae
• Genus : Mycteria
• Species : M. leucocephala
• Binomial name : Mycteria leucocephala

Painted stork is a tall and slim bird that is found mostly in the Asian continent. The painted bird grows to a height of 95 to 100 cm and is mostly white in color. Generally the female is smaller than the male. The birds wings and chest feather have black and white markings. The leg along with the lower back is light pink in color and head is covered with feathers partly and is orange in color. Young ones of the stork are brownish in color. Painted stork feed on fish, frogs, snails and other insects. During hunting the stork puts its head inside the water with its mouth open partly and swings its head back and front till it held its prey. Painted stork stay near the water and found in large colonies. These species build nest to lay eggs. The nests are made up of sticks and leaves and are built very close to the water.