The Demoiselle Crane (Anthropoides virgo) name may derive from Marie Antoniette, of the court of Versailles in the second half of 1700s, when she received as a gift a specimen of this bird, and identified it as a “Demoiselle” – which means young lady in French. It is the smallest and second most abundant crane species, identified by the white ear tufts which circle the sides and back of head and the red iris. Both sexes look alike with long legs, a long neck and a long, compressed bill. Its body is light bluish grey with light grey on the crown and along the back of the neck and the nape. The face and front of the neck is dark grey with long, pointed feathers hanging over the breast area. It is a bird of dry grassland (savannas, steppes, and semi-deserts) is found in central Eurasia. Demoiselle cranes gather in large flocks whilst on migration, but once they reach their breeding grounds they gradually become territorial, with each pair nesting on their own. They pair for life, and the bond between two individuals is strengthened by duets, and ballet-like dancing.
