Common crane (Grus-grus)
Elegant bird, with long legs and neck. Its head, throat and wingtips are black. It is characterized by a white stripe running from the cheek to the bottom of the neck. The top of his head is red. A tuft of ornamental feathers hides its tail. The young are darker with brownish head and neck.
The common crane lives in large marshes and wet heaths. In winter, it also frequents dry environments. In some years it winters in the thousands, concentrating in particular in El Tarf, Relizane and the Sebkha of Oran. A few dozen winter in Boughzoul and on the high plateaus. The cranes' mating dance is certainly one of the most extraordinary spectacles offered by birds. The common crane feeds mainly on plants. It is a very shy migratory bird.
The common crane lives in large marshes and wet heaths. In winter, it also frequents dry environments. In some years it winters in the thousands, concentrating in particular in El Tarf, Relizane and the Sebkha of Oran. A few dozen winter in Boughzoul and on the high plateaus. The cranes' mating dance is certainly one of the most extraordinary spectacles offered by birds. The common crane feeds mainly on plants. It is a very shy migratory bird.