Group name or (part of the) common name of species of the family Gruidae (order Gruiformes) consisting of 15 species. Cranes are large (largest species stand 1.5 m high and have a wingspan of ± 2.4 m), long-necked and long-legged birds with short tails. The straight bill (variable in size) shows lateral grooves on each side of the lower mandible and the upper mandible typically has nostrils about half way down in nasal grooves. They have a characteristic loud, trumpet-like call which in some species is more whistling. The plumage (alike between the sexes) varies from white to slate-grey with always black primaries. The innermost secondaries don't function in flight, but are loosely sticking together and much elongated, forming a characteristical drooping cover over the hind part of the body. Cranes are terrestrial birds which prefer plains or marshy ground. They feed on vegetable matter, insects and small animals (mice) or birds. Pair-bonding is probably for life and for this purpose a (for some species well-known) ceremonial dance is performed by many species. Cranes are distributed over all continents except South America. All northern species are migratory. Well-known species are the Common Crane Grus grus (distributed from eastern Europe to eastern Asia) and the Crowned Crane Galearica pavonina of Africa (Uganda's national emblem).

Alternative form for cranes : crane.