The Demoiselle Crane, Grus virgo, is a bird found in Central Europe and Asia. Its a migratory bird which mainly breeds in Central Europe, Mongolia, China and other parts of Asia. The birds which breed in Central Europe normally migrate to Africa and the birds which breed in Asia normally migrate to Indian Subcontinent. These birds unlike the Sarus Crane can be seen in huge numbers flocked together.
Demoiselle Crane is omnivorous but prefer to feed mainly on plants. Another fact about the Demoiselle Crane is that they consume pebbles to aid them digest their food. In some areas where the bird are flocked in large numbers, it has been noted to be rich with pebbles.
Sightings
The Demoiselle Crane is a winter visitor to India. They normally come to India by the beginning of September and leaves to their breeding grounds in the Arctic tundra by the end of April.
One sure place to see Demoiselle Crane in India is the Vijaysagar Lake in Khichaan, Rajasthan. During the winter season, a few thousands of birds can be seen here. This area is rich with small pebbles which these birds consume to aid their digestion.
The first time I visited Vijaysagar Lake was in Dec 2015. The locals at the Vijaysagar Lake area wrongly call them as Siberian Cranes.
During our GIBT 2017 – NI trip we found around 1500 of them in Vijaysagar Lake. They were found in different groups where individuals travelling from one group to another when disturbed by human activities. Its surprising to see that these birds co-exist in that small village which has a high rate of human activities.
Later on the trip we found the Demoiselle Crane again from from Rewards Talab in Rajasthan and Nalsarovar Lake in Gujarat.
Great Indian Birding Trip 