Sarus Cranes in Asia

Ozcranes is the website of the Australian Crane Network so mainly concentrates on Australian Sarus Cranes», but we often refer to studies and include images from better-studied populations elsewhere. By contrast, this page specifically features resources and images for Sarus Cranes in other countries.

Sarus Cranes in Asia

Sarus Crane distribution in Asia

There are four surviving Sarus Crane populations: South Asia (India and Nepal); Eastern (southeast Asia, mostly Cambodia and Vietnam); Myanmar-China; and Australia. The Philippines Sarus Crane is extinct. Earlier genetic studies found that all living populations were clinal forms, varying gradually across the range, however the most recent analysis [1] shows that the Australian Sarus Crane is a distinct sub-species, possibly most closely related to the extinct Philippines Sarus. More information on all Sarus Crane populations and their conservation can be found in the Crane Conservation Strategy (2019) [2]

[1] Nevard TD, Haase M, Archibald G, Leiper I, Van Zalinge RN, Purchikoon N, Siriaroonrat B, Latt TN, Wink M and Garnett ST. 2020. Subspecies in the Sarus Crane Antigone antigone revisited; with particular reference to the Australian population. PLOS ONE https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0230150.
[2] Mirande, C.M. & Harris, J.T. (Eds) (2019). Crane Conservation Strategy. International Crane Foundation, Baraboo, Wisconsin, USA.

The Sarus Crane Asia distribution map is by L Shyamal, public domain.

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Sarus Lost & Found

Lost: Philippines Sarus

Philippines Sarus Crane

← Philippines Sarus Crane 1847, painted by Jose Honorato Lozano

The Philippines Sarus, named Tipol in Tagalog, was thought to have been the smallest of all forms. It was probably extinct by mid 20th century. An excellent history by Christian Perez including the story of the 1847 painting can be found in the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines (EBON) newsletter.

Material from Philippines Sarus was included in genetic analyses for the first time as part of Tim Nevard's PhD Study», which gave new insight into relationships between the different forms of Sarus Crane.

Found: Myanmar-China

Burma postage stamp

Although the Sarus Crane was included in a set of postage stamps featuring important Burmese birds in 1964, very little is known about the Sarus located in Myanmar and adjoining parts of Yunnan Province, China. The population today is considered to be 300-400 birds. New breeding sites were discovered in 2019 and 78 nests were monitored, see report at the International Crane Foundation. Historical numbers in Burma are not known. In 1875, Blyth in his ‘Catalogue of Mammals and Birds of Burma’ described Sarus as ‘very numerous in the interior in large flocks’, and cited a breeding reference. In ‘The Birds of Burma’ (1953) Smythies gives more details of habitats and locations including breeding sites, and reports flocks of up to 60 in mid-monsoon. Maps and data to 1998 are available in a report by J Barzen and U Seal, downloadable here. Habitats in Myanmar include significant wetland sites listed by Ramsar and various protected area initiatives. More information:

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Southeast Asia

Eastern Sarus Cranes, Phu My Nature Reserve, Vietnam. Courtesy Mr Pau Tang & International Crane Foundation.

Eastern Sarus, Vietnam

In the last 50 years the Eastern Sarus Crane has disappeared from Thailand, Malaysia and much of Indochina. It is still in serious decline and there are thought to be only 250 birds left in Cambodia and Vietnam [2]. Multiple research and wetland conservation programs are underway, but wetland reclamation and drainage continue. In Thailand, a captive breeding program has released Sarus into protected wetland areas in an attempt to restore the original population extinct since about 1980. Across southeast Asia the major threats are wetland drainage or other habitat changes, as well as hunting, egg collection and taking Sarus chicks as pets.

Eastern Sarus Crane resources

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India and Nepal

Sarus spreading wings in nest defence display (research intruder), and Sarus pair duetting in rice field. Uttar Pradesh, India (K.S. Gopi Sundar)

Sarus Crane in rice field Sarus duet

The South Asian Sarus Crane population of 8,000 to 10,000 has been extensively studied, mainly in India with recent surveys extending to adjacent areas in Nepal. Most Sarus Cranes in the region nest in irrigated wet rice fields, some in Uttar Pradesh remaining on their breeding territories all year. Their future is highly dependent on persistence of suitable agricultural conditions and favourable community attitudes. The spread of urban areas and industrial development across wetland areas increases threats from drainage, diversions, and mechanised agriculture, especially if combined with variable rainfalls. In Uttar Pradesh many immature Sarus collide with electricity distribution lines and are killed. Accidental poisonings from agricultural chemicals, egg harvesting, and invasive species such as Water Hyacinth and African Catfish in the renowned Keoladeo-Ghana National Park are also serious issues.

A comprehensive literature review for South Asian Sarus – KS Gopi Sundar & BC Choudhury (2003), ‘The Indian Sarus Crane Grus a. antigone: A Literature Review’. Journal of Ecological Society 15: 5-15 – can be read online or downloaded free in various formats from Archive.org.

South Asia Sarus Resources

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