Gilbert

Profile Picture and Leg Ring Combination Code

• Yellow
• 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: Gilbert was the first to fly at the crane school and is second only in size to Clarence. He is the brother of Michael, and is a high ranking male although quite indifferent to hierarchical struggles! A really handsome chap with quite a lot of white flecking on his head.  Sept 2010: Gilbert is one of Clarence's gang is often found along with sister Michael and buddies Wendy and Gemma.  As part of this group he is also often seen in a larger group with Red-Black; Green-Black; Yellow-Black, Black-Yellow and Bart.   October 2010: Gilbert spends most of his time with Clarence in the new super cohort and as with all the others is becoming much more wary of people.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, Gilbert's new favourite food! Gilbert has also struck up a friendship with Ruby in the past two weeks and they are often seen preening one another during the day.JAN 2011:  Gilbert has acted very much as part of the whole flock  through the coldest December on record. Although one of the oldest, he is not yet showing much sign of his adult plumage.March 2011:  Gilbert is starting to catch up with the others now and is developing his adult plumage nicely although as with the others (and most birds at this time  of year), he is a little bit scuffy.September 2011:  Gilbert is now one of the most spectacular cranes to behold, as he now has nearly all of his adult plumage, with a bold head-strige and a pronounced bustle.  He has been quite tolerant of the new 2011 cranes, but has been quite wary of his original 'parents' in costume.

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Photos of Gilbert

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