comportamiento-invernal

Common Cranes keep to very strict routines, going to the feeding areas during the day and flying at the end of the day to the communal roosts, where thousands of birds may gather. On occasions, they establish pre-roosts in the vicinity of the main roost, where they group together before finally flying to the latter destination. It is an eminently gregarious species, and can form large flocks of several hundred specimens. However, isolated family groups can often be seen, where the adults accompany the juveniles during the entire wintering period and may keep their distance from the large feeding flocks.

During migratory flights the groups move at a great height adopting a peculiar "V" formation, while emitting their distinctive loud call. At the end of the wintering period it is relatively common to see flocks of cranes starting their return journey north. Then, large flocks of birds can be seen flying in circles searching for thermal air currents, until they reach the sufficient altitude to be able to glide to their next destination.