Cranes - Grues

Cranes are large, long-legged, and long-necked birds. There 15 species of cranes, with two  (Whooping and Sandhill) occurring in Canada. The Whooping Crane is an endangered species. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Cranes live on most continents, with the exception of Antarctica and South America. 

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During migration cranes fly with their head and neck straight out and their feet and legs straight behind them. They are able to reach heights of 16,000–26,000 ft.  Some have the ability to fly over the Himalayas. Their migration is so long and hard that many die from fatigue, hunger, or predation from birds of prey.