The gathering features up to 180,000 common cranes, with tens of thousands clustering together in single accessible sub-roost locations. Individual arrivals in small groups or classic V-formations soon dissolve into massive landing flocks that fill the skies. Their immense acoustic output stems from a specialised syrinx and elongated trachea, producing a powerful auditory roar once famously likened by Homer to clashing armies.
Key points
The birds originate from northern Eurasian breeding habitats located across Poland, Ukrai…: The birds originate from northern Eurasian breeding habitats located across Poland, Ukraine, and Russia.
An elongated trachea and syrinx allow the cranes to generate collective vocalizations com…: An elongated trachea and syrinx allow the cranes to generate collective vocalizations compared by Homer to clashing armies.
Common cranes often live between two and three decades while making this recurring annual…: Common cranes often live between two and three decades while making this recurring annual journey.
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With a standing height of 1.4 metres, common cranes are Europe’s tallest birds and at this famous national park they collect in astonishing numbers as they migrate.
The autumn count is 180,000, although the only accessible spot to see them supports a sub-roost of 50,000. Each bird has a wingspan of 2 metres and the flight is slow and rhythmically precise. The visual effect of any large airborne congregation is at the scale of a whole landscape and its skies above.
Yet perhaps it is the sound that leaves the deepest impression. A crane’s vocal instrument, its syrinx, is located within an enormously elongated trachea, and the organ’s output is often referred to as “bugling”. The word might indicate the quantity of crane music, but says little of the quality.
The trumpeted note rises in pitch and volume, yet possesses coarser and rasped asperities within the brass. It appears as if the bird’s vocal efforts were meeting resistance, or as if some undeclared emotion were lodged in its throat.
Cranes invariably arrive to roost in relatively small groups or V…
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