Michael

Profile Picture and Leg Ring Combination Code

• Green
• Blue
• 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: Michael (who should really be a Michaela) is an attractive, large  and non-agressive female bird with a ranking somewhere in the middle of the release group. She has recently bonded well with Clarence and Gemma and is often seen alongside them.  She is Gilbert's sister.   Sept 2010: Michael is still often found in a group with Clarence and Gemma, but this group has now expanded to include her brother Gilbert (Yellow-White) and also Wendy (White-Blue).October 2010: Quite a quiet bird and is still keeping close to Clarence and Gemma.Nov 2010: In recent weeks Micheal has become part of a group of 20 as all the cranes have joined forces with Clarences group . They have found new fields to explore and are often found foraging on maize stubbles, Micheals new favourite food!JAN 2011:  Michael's white cheek patches seemed to appear almost overnight in early December - and we were amazed at the speed of the development of her adult plumage -  way ahead of many of the others.  She has been in with the whole body of birds which have largely acted as one through the coldest December on record.  In mid December she developed a very strange walking habit of stretching her left leg out straight behind her every few steps.  This does not seem to cause any problems walking or flying - but just looks very odd and we are keeping a close eye on her. MARCH 2011: In early March Michael was caught and her satellite tag removed as is could have been the cause of the odd walk.  She was refitted with standard Black Blue Black UK code rings and a radio tag on her right leg.  She quickly rejoined the rest of the flock, and her odd walking behaviour does seem to have settled down. Regarding her appearance, Micheal is by far the furthest ahead in the moulting race and is really starting to look like an adult crane. September 2011: Michael, or 'Michaela' now looks like an adult grown due to her sixe and that she has nearly all of her adult feathers and plumage.  She is a stunning bird with a bold head-stripe and a large black bustle.  She has responded well to the introduction of the 2011 youngsters, and has allowed them to be slowly integrated into the group.

Photos of Michael

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