Adult Crane Description:
The dorsal plumage is pale gray, with the greater coverts occasionally having pale black tips. The lesser wing coverts are black, followed by a row of gray coverts and then black primary coverts. The primary remiges are black, while the secondary remiges are gray, with some black markings on the inner vanes and tips. The tertials extend into ornamental plumes with a pale gray color and black tips. The tail is gray. The tail feathers are gray with black tips. The crown and the area in front of the eyes are bare, with a few pale black hair-like feathers. A narrow red band of skin runs horizontally across the head. The nape is gray. The neck sides, cheeks, and ear coverts are white. The area below the eyes, around the eyes, and the throat are grayish-black. The remaining part of the neck and the belly are gray. The eyes are reddish-yellow, orange, or pale brown. The bill is pale grayish-green. The legs are black.
Measurements:
Wingspan: 533 – 608 mm, Tail: 192 – 205 mm; Tarsus: 225 – 258 mm; Bill: 105 – 118 mm.
Distribution:
The White-naped Crane breeds in Northern Asia. During the winter, it migrates to Southern China, India, Myanmar, and Indochina. In Vietnam, during the winter season, this species is often found in the Northern Delta and especially along the central coast.