Grus grus (Linnaeus, 1758) · žeriav popolavý · Common Crane

Gruiformes(cranes and rails)Gruidae(cranes)

Slovak names

žeriav popolavý (Kovalik 2010)
žeriav popolavý (Matoušek 1990)

English names

Common Crane (IOC 2.5 2010)
Crane (BOU 1923)

Scientific names

Grus grus (AviList 2026)
Grus grus (IOC 15.2 2026)
Grus grus (IOC 2.5 2010)
Megalornis grus (BOU 1923)

Taxonomic synonyms

Grus lilfordi (Sharp, 1894)
Ardea grus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Megalornis grus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Grus grus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Birding Slovakia database

This species through our community’s eyes

Observations 1 193 Photographs 609 Sounds 1 Videos 9

Photographs by category

Species characteristics in Slovakia

General occurrence: migrant / M
Breeding: rare nidificant / Nr
Migration: common transmigrant / Tc

Status in Slovakia: Uncommon present original

Rarities committee:

Conservation — Red Lists

Slovakia 2023breeding population
Europe 2021
World 2025

Previous assessments

Slovakia 2013

Observation map

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Detailed species observation statistics

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Source: the Birding.sk database. Counts reflect observer contributions, not population size.

About this species

Distribution

Common Crane breeds across a broad belt of Europe and Asia and winters farther south, notably in milder regions and Africa. In Slovakia it is a conspicuous spring and autumn migrant, especially in the east. It is also a rare local breeder: the first documented breeding was in 2009. Large migrating flocks must therefore not be confused with the size of the Slovak breeding population.

Habitat

On passage, watch over open country or look for feeding birds in fields and meadows. Quiet wetlands and shallow water provide safe roosts. Breeding pairs seek secluded wet places with vegetation cover.

Breeding

The pair builds a plant-material nest on the ground in a wetland and usually rears young from two eggs. Both parents incubate and care for the chicks; families remain together after the young can fly.

Food

It is omnivorous, taking grain, seeds, roots and green vegetation, as well as insects, worms and small vertebrates.

Interesting fact

The famous crane dance is not restricted to mating. Bows, leaps and tossing vegetation also occur outside the start of breeding and form part of the birds’ social behaviour.

Sources: Slovak Wikipedia · English Wikipedia

Explore further

xeno-canto – Grus grus ↗Sound recordings of Grus grus.eBird – Grus grus ↗Species profile for Grus grus: observations, map and available media.Merlin Bird ID – Grus grus ↗The Grus grus account in Merlin Bird ID; opens the app on supported devices, otherwise the web account.

Overview and identification

Descriptions, identification and names.

Slovak Wikipedia ↗
Taxon account in Slovak: distribution, biology and references for further reading.
https://sk.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%BDeriav_popolav%C3%BD
English Wikipedia ↗
Taxon account in English: distribution, biology and taxonomic context.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_crane