Found mainly on the high-altitude plateaus of Tibet, Bhutan, and parts of the Indian Himalayas, this crane is the only species in the world that lives and breeds almost exclusively in alpine wetlands. Imagine a bird with snowy-white plumage offset by an elegant black neck and head, a red crown patch glowing like a jewel, and long, graceful legs perfectly suited for wading—this is the black-necked crane, a bird that seems sculpted for both majesty and mystery.

Life at such extreme altitudes, often 3,000–5,000 meters (9,843-16,404 feet) above sea level, is no easy feat, yet the black-necked crane has evolved beautifully for the harsh conditions of the Tibetan Plateau. In summer, they breed in wetlands, meadows, and river valleys where melting snow creates a burst of vegetation and insect life. They build large mound nests out of grasses in shallow water, laying one or two eggs. Both parents take turns incubating and later guard the fluffy gray chicks fiercely, sometimes driving off predators much larger than themselves. When winter arrives, many cranes migrate to lower-altitude valleys in Bhutan, India, and China, where they forage in agricultural fields and marshes before returning north in spring.

Culturally, the black-necked crane holds a revered place in the traditions of the Himalayas. In Bhutan, it is considered a sacred bird and a symbol of longevity and fidelity. Its arrival in the Phobjikha Valley each winter is celebrated with the black-necked crane Festival, where locals gather to honor the bird with songs, dances, and prayers. In Tibetan Buddhism, the crane is often seen as a messenger of the gods, and harming one is considered deeply inauspicious. Their haunting, trumpet-like calls echoing across high valleys only add to their aura of mystery and spiritual significance.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Bhutan

2020

Non-Breeding

China

2020

India

2020

Nepal

2020

Non-Breeding

Vietnam

Official estimate

EX

Extinct locally