The crane family of long-legged and long-beaked fishing birds includes not only cranes but also storks, herons, and egrets. Cranes nest near water and are often seen fishing in ponds, lakes, and drainage ditches.

Cranes are beautiful and interesting birds. They have been honored by humans for thousands of years.

Cranes in Tradition

Cranes have been considered wise and spiritual being since far prehistory. In Asia cranes also represent longevity and were traditionally the protectors of women.

Desert dwellers like the Dine (Navajo) considered cranes to be wise indeed. They knew that wherever you saw a crane flying, there would be water.

In ancient Ireland the crane was considered to be a master of magic, and so the ancient magicians of Irish myth and legend were said to have carried their magical tools and supplies in bag made of crane skin.

Elsewhere in Europe, storks were associated with successful childbirth. That led to the common tradition that storks delivered babies.

Crane Videos

For more information on cranes, watch our crane video collection.