The Demoiselle Crane, Anthropoides virgo, is a species of crane.
Description
The Demoiselle is 85-100 cm long with a 155-180 cm wingspan. It is therefore slightly smaller than the Common Crane, with similar plumage. However, it has a long white neck strip, and the black on the foreneck extends down over the chest in a plume.
Distribution / Habitat
It breeds in central Asia, with a few found in Cyprus and eastern Turkey, even as far as western and Northern Pakistan, and migrates to Africa in winter.
Damp marshes, steppe habitats, and meadows are all other areas in which the Demoiselle Crane could be spotted. The range in height goes from sea level to over 10,000 meters.
Demoiselle cranes have to take one of the toughest migrations in the world. In late August through September, they gather in flocks of up to 400 individuals and prepare for their flight to their winter range. During their migratory flight south, demoiselles fly like all cranes, with their head and neck straight forward and their feet and legs straight behind, reaching altitudes of 16,000-26,000 feet (4,875-7,925 m). Along their arduous journey, they have to cross the Himalayan mountains to get to their overwintering grounds in India, and many die from fatigue, hunger, and predation from birds such as eagles.
At their wintering grounds, demoiselles have been observed flocking with Eurasian cranes, their combined totals reaching up to 20,000 individuals. Demoiselles maintain separate social groups within the larger flock.
In March and April, demoiselle cranes begin their long spring journey back to their northern nesting grounds.
Breeding and Nesting
The Seychelles Kestrel breeds primarily between August and October. During this time, pairs defend nesting sites from predators and other kestrels. The kestrel doesn’t build a large nest, but instead, lays its eggs in simple scrapes, which are shallow depressions. These can be found on cliffs or ledges as well as in tree cavities or among rocks. The nesting sites are selected for their safety and for the availability of perches for hunting.
A clutch is usually composed of two to three eggs. The eggs are white, with brown or reddish brown markings. The incubation period is between 28 and 31 days. After hatching, it takes 35 to 42 days for the chicks to become independent. After fledging, young birds still depend on their parents to learn how to hunt and navigate in their home territory. This can take several weeks.
The breeding success of islands varies. Nest failure is common on some islands. This is especially true for those that have a disturbed habitat or few safe nesting areas. Low nest-site availability on islands such as Praslin has been identified by scientists as a factor that limits nest success. Many nests fail because the birds are forced into suboptimal nesting locations. Success rates are affected by the presence of predators and human disturbance. According to RSPB, this species is well documented.
Feeding
Die Demoiselle Crane eats a variety of plants and animals, and is well-adapted to both agricultural and natural landscapes. The Demoiselle Crane’s diet is a mixture of animal and plant matter. This allows for flexible foraging according to season and habitat. Its diet is dominated by plant material, such as seeds, grains, grasses, and shoots. This is especially true during the non-breeding season when there are many agricultural wastes and grains that have fallen. According to Cornell Lab of Ornithology, this species is well documented.
The need for protein increases during the breeding season. The importance of insects, worms, and mollusks (such as small rodents or lizards) increases. Cranes can pick up earthworms, grasshoppers, beetles, or caterpillars in soil or vegetation. Demoiselle’s shorter and fairly robust bill allows it to probe, peck, and pick food from the ground or short vegetation.
They often pick items out of the ground or surface by walking slowly, bending their heads down, and picking them up with care. Avoiding deep water, they stick to the shallow edges and dry ground. They also use sown or wasted seeds or grains because they winter near or in agricultural fields. This proximity to human lands offers opportunities but also hazards–disturbance, pesticide exposure, and competition.
Cranes in mixed flocks can benefit from the foraging activities of others. Movement or agitation within the flock may flush out insects or small creatures for other cranes to catch. They can adapt to changing food availability and survive in various environments.
Vocalizations
Seychelles Kestrel calls are loud and distinctive, despite its size. They are well-known on the islands. Locally, the bird’s shrill, piercing call, which is sometimes expressed as a repeated high “kri “or sharp “kitkit” calls, announces its presence. It uses its call for territorial defense as well as breeding. The voice is heard early in the morning or during times of hunting or nesting. The kestrel’s vocalizations do not include elaborate songs. They are purely functional and meant to communicate with the mate, yo,ung, or to ward off competitors or intruders.
Its voice is distinctive because it is the only falcon breeder on the granitic Seychelles Islands. Alerts all residents to the activity of the bird. It can be heard for a long distance, particularly in open habitats such as cultivated land and buildings perched on high cliffs. During breeding season, the calls can increase as the pair communicates or defends the nest site.
Status
The Demoiselle Crane is evaluated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
It is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies.
Conclusion
Seychelles Kestrels are a unique symbol of the Seychelles Archipelago. They are a small falcon that is well adapted to island living, hunts small lizards, and is deeply intertwined in its fragile habitat. The Seychelles Kestrel’s small size, its secretive hunting and perching style, its shrill vocalization, and its dependence on limited habitats make it resilient and vulnerable at the same time.
The fact that its population is stable despite the global status of Vulnerable gives hope. This hope is dependent on continued, careful conservation efforts. Important actions include protecting forests, conserving nesting sites, managing human impacts such as development and habitat destruction, and controlling invasive species. Mahe remains a stronghold for kestrels. It is important to boost populations of kestrels on islands like Praslin or La Digue, where they are rare or even gone.
