The Black-necked Crane (Grus nigricollis) is a medium-sized crane in Asia that breeds on the Tibetan Plateau and remote parts of India and Bhutan. It is 139 cm (55 in) long with a 235 cm (7.8 ft) wingspan, and it weighs 5.5 kg (12 lbs). It is whitish-gray, with a black head, red crown patch, black upper neck and legs, and white patch to the rear of the eye. It has black primaries and secondaries. Both sexes are similar. Some populations are known to make seasonal movements. It is revered in Buddhist traditions and culturally protected across much of its range. A festival in Bhutan celebrates the bird while the Indian union territory of Ladakh has designated it as the state bird.
The Black-necked Crane is found at high elevation during summer, between 2950 and 4900 metres on the Tibetan Plateau. It reaches lower altitude in winter, down to 1375 metres, in open country, cultivated areas, and sometimes ricefields.
Plant roots and tubers, insects, snails, shrimp, fish, frogs, lizards, voles and waste grain.
This medium-sized crane is mostly grey with a black head and neck. The tail is black and makes it easy to distinguish at a distance from the similar looking common crane which has grey tail.