Congregation of Sarus Crane (Grus Antigone) In Unnao District, Uttar Pradesh

The world's tallest flying bird Indian Sarus Crane (Grus antigone), is globally 'Vulnerable' species as per IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It is only residential breeding crane in India. The present study concerns the survey of Sarus Crane in Unnao district. It is a monogamous bird and known as the eternal symbol of unconditional love and devotion and good fortune. It is believed that if one bird of the pair were to die, then the other follows the path towards starvation by refusing any food or water. The Sarus cranes preferred habitat like marsh areas that are filled with water during monsoon season, the abundantly irrigated paddy rice fields, grassland and riverbanks. They are omnivorous, eating insects (especially grasshoppers), aquatic plants, fish perhaps only in captivity, frogs, crustaceans and seeds. Sarus crane is the symbol of a healthy wetland ecosystem. Sarus crane is an omnivorous bird and maintains the food chain and food web give strength to wetlands ecosystem. The present survey was carried out during April 2013- April 2015.