Despite their similar appearance and ecology, herons and cranes are very different birds. They differ at the taxonomic level, as well; cranes vs heron belong to the order Gruiformes and the family Gruidae, while herons are in the order Pelecaniformes and the family Ardeidae.
Herons are most often seen near bodies of water, hunting for fish or other aquatic creatures, while cranes can be found in open lowlands and grasslands as well, eating insects, small mammals, berries, grains, and plants. In a symbolic context, herons are often associated with balance and self-reliance, while cranes are linked to longevity and good fortune.
Feathered Giants: Exploring the Contrasts Between Cranes and Herons
When trying to identify a heron or a crane, the first thing to notice is their posture. Cranes stand tall and upright, while herons are hunched and crouched. The differences in posture become more pronounced when the bird is in flight. Cranes have shorter necks that they hold straight, while herons’ longer necks retract into a graceful ‘S’ shape in flight.
Another key difference is their bill sizes and shapes. Herons have long, dagger-like bills that are suited to spearing fish, their main prey, while cranes have short and laterally compressed bills that are adapted to their omnivorous diets.
Other distinguishing features include their vocalizations, as cranes produce a loud, rattling call that is distinctive from herons’ croaking sounds. Their mating behaviors are also distinct; herons are monogamous, while cranes are polygynous. Lastly, the head of a heron is bare and red-colored from being partially featherless, while the heads of cranes are fully feathered.