Clarence

Profile Picture and Leg Ring Combination Code

• Blue
• White
• Red

What is this?

Each crane has a unique combination of 3 coloured rings on their right leg. This marking code helps to identify the crane in the wild.

Character profile:

Summer 2010:  Largest and arguably the most handsome male. Also one of the oldest birds.  A top ranking crane, often found in a small cohort with with Gemma and Michael. Despite his size and age, he was very shy to come out of his coop at the crane school and also spent his first potential night of feedom in Somerset within his aviary!  He is only ever aggressive if challenged, and few birds seem to have the nerve to challenge him.Sept 2010: Clarence is still a top-ranking bird, and is the centre of the  largest of the cohorts.  His close gang now include Wendy; Gilbert; Gemma and Michael and are also often accompanied by Red-Black; Green-Black; Yellow-Black; Black-Yellow and Bart.  Despite staying within the aviary for the first day of release, he has been slowly but surely making his way out into the wider countryside, and his behaviour has been impeccable.  October 2010: Clarence is still a strong leader of the largest cohort and is often seen leading the group to new areas for foraging.Nov 2010: In recent weeks the cranes have all joined forces with Clarences group and are now usually moving as a group of 20. They have found new fields to explore and are often found foraging on maize stubbles, Clarences new favourite food!JAN 2011:  Clarence is very much one of the flock - with the whole body of birds largely acting as one over through the coldest December on record. Although one of the oldest, he is not yet showing much sign of his white cheeks but has developed one of the darkest crowns of the group.  See recent photo! March 2011:  Clarence has come through the winter and he's well on the way to obtaining his adult plumage. Although at present like the rest of the birds, he is looking rather scruffy due to being heavily in moult.April 2011:  A couple of days after his 1st birthday, Clarence flew to Catcott and Shapwick with Gemma, Bart and Chris where they roosted the night, before heading back to join the rest of the birds in their more usual haunts around Aller Moor.September 2011:  Clarence is now a stunning full grown crane, with most of his gaudy adult plumage.  Although he was the largest crane for a period of time, the other birds are of similar size, albeit that he is a bit chunky.  Whilst some of the other 2010 cranes use their size to intimidate the 2011 youngsters, clarence is quite tlerant of their integration, and has been quite approachable by both youngsters and costumed 'parents'.

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Photos of Clarence

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