Whatbird.com

I have two pictures I would like to post to see what these two birds are so that I can research.  Thank you.

That is a Gray crowned crane.

It looks similar to a grey-crowned crane, but may be a different species.

---

Dan Kopp
Sacramento

Many dreams come true, and some have silver linings; I live for my dream and a pocketful of gold...

This is indeed a Gray-crowned Crane, common in captivity, especially zoos and the like.  Determining which subspecies is difficult, involving the size of the red patch located superior of the white cheek patch.  Seeing that this is lacking in this bird, I'm assuming that it is the smaller, B. r. regulorum subspecies.

---

Art Thread

Your second bird is a male Mandarin Duck.  Their natural range is Eastern Asia, but they have been domesticated and introduced into parts of the world, most noteworthy is Britain where they have practically gone back to the wild!  They obviously do well in captive environments, because they too, like the Gray-crowned Crane, are found in almost all zoos and private collections. 

---

Art Thread

Thank you.  I took many pictures on a recent trip and am now trying to learn more about them.  I looked up the Grey Crowned Crane and found the info very interesting.  I have now posted one more query.  Looks like a Mallard Duck to me, but I am  not sure.

Where's the picture of the  unknown duck?

mousebird:

Where's the picture of the  unknown duck?

It replaced the first picture of the crane, so therefore it is on the first message, up at the top.

See my reply about the duck, right after my reply about the crane, 3 replies up.
 

---

Art Thread

barredowl:

That is a Gray crowned crane.

I don't think so.  It's actually a Mandarin Duck.  

---

Joseph Morlan
Fall Birding Classes in San Francisco start October 28

Joe Morlan:

barredowl:

That is a Gray crowned crane.

I don't think so.  It's actually a Mandarin Duck.  

The original poster had a picture of a Gray-crowned Crane to start with then after that was IDed changed it to a Mandarin Duck.

 

 

---

featherbrain

Try out my photo quiz!

Life is simple: Eat, Sleep, and BIRD!

"Walk softly and carry a big scope!"

Joe Morlan:

I don't think so.  It's actually a Mandarin Duck.  

As a matter of fact, there was a photo of a Gray-crowned Crane before the message was updated, and the crane photo was replaced with the photo of the Mandarin Duck.  Maybe the original poster could reply with the crane photo, please?
 

---

Art Thread

How do you tell a Gray-crowned Crane from a Mandarin Duck?  What are the key differences?

---

Joseph Morlan
Fall Birding Classes in San Francisco start October 28

We are simply saying that before the picture of a Mandarin, the original poster had a picture of a Gray-crowned Crane, look at the top post, notice in the text that there are two birds wanted to be IDed, the Gray-crowned Crane was the first, once we got that sealed they changed the picture to the second bird, this Mandarin Duck.

 

---

featherbrain

Try out my photo quiz!

Life is simple: Eat, Sleep, and BIRD!

"Walk softly and carry a big scope!"

featherbrain:

We are simply saying that before the picture of a Mandarin, the original poster had a picture of a Gray-crowned Crane, look at the top post, notice in the text that there are two birds wanted to be IDed, the Gray-crowned Crane was the first, once we got that sealed they changed the picture to the second bird, this Mandarin Duck.

 

I think Joe was adding a bit of humor, which is always welcome.  After all, this forum should be a warm, friendly place!

 

---

Art Thread

Exactly...he was being humorous. Easy to see, as Joe would know the differences between those two birds, as almost anyone would be able to point to their "key differences".

---

Dan Kopp
Sacramento

Many dreams come true, and some have silver linings; I live for my dream and a pocketful of gold...