The Call of the Cranes : Expeditions Into a Mysterious World

Cranes are enigmatic birds. Only very little is known about the behaviour of these graceful dancers. The renowned naturalist and crane expert Bernhard Wessling takes us on exciting and adventurous expeditions into their hidden world and gets to the bottom of the myths surrounding these birds of happiness. With the help of a specially developed bioacoustic method, Dr. Wessling studied Eurasian, Red-Crowned, Sandhill and Whooping Cranes, all in the wild. He has researched their intelligence, social dynamics and communication and engaged in their protection. Impressively illustrated and lively narrated, this book presents his findings on their individually unique lives and relationships, their ability to adapt and solve problems, and their emotions. His observations allow us to delve deeply into the cranes' way of life and consciousness, often demonstrating the surprising similarities between humans and animals. An amazing work about the spirit of discovery, humility and respect for nature in the tradition of Alexander von Humboldt. Cranes are among the most captivating birds on this planet. Dr. Wessling knows these birds, has accumulated a lifetime of observations on them, and has thought deeply about their abilities. In this book, he seeks to overturn old ideas about how these birds live, communicate, and think. His revelations surprise and delight and shed new light on an ancient avian family. Jennifer Ackerman, author of the New York Times bestseller The Genius of Birds and The Bird Way The Call of the Cranes is a mesmerizing, vivid, lyrical and revelatory book. It truly is a spectacular book and a treasure! Sy Montgomery, naturalist and author of 31 books (incl. the New York Times bestseller The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness ) In this book, Bernhard Wessling shareshis fascinating stories about cranes through patient observations and thoughtful conclusions. George Archibald, Co-Founder of the International Crane Foundation, Senior Conservationist Foreword Foreword Preface Acknowledgments Contents How It All Began Crane Knowledge Compact: The Myths and the Facts Problem Solving, Ballet Courtship and the Fox Alarm: How Do Cranes Communicate with Each Other? Arrival in the Brook After Returning from Wintering Grounds: Alone or in Groups? Breeding Season: A Tragic Love Story Ruffs, White-Tailed Eagles and Other Brook Visitors: What Crane Guards Can Experience In the School of Life In Search of the Cranes’ Language: They Call and Thus Tell Us About Their Lives Off into the Wide World: Asian and American Crane Species Are Calling Me Research Adventure: Red-Crowned Cranes Eavesdropping at Minus 25 Degrees; Crane Research with Armed Border Guards in the Background The Adventure Continues: Expeditions to the Wild Whooping Cranes We Fly Off: The Hard Way to the Migration Flight School What Can We Learn About Intelligence, Migratory Behavior, the Formation of Culture, Tool Use, and Self-Awareness in Cranes? Can Cranes Think Strategically? More Amazing Observations Cranes Are Subjects. A Plea for More Modesty and Respect for Nature Appendix Emotions That, According to My Observations, Cranes Have or Do Not Have Experiences with “Sandy”, the Flightless Sandhill Crane Red-Crowned Cranes: Deception and Tactics Peace-Loving Cranes? USA: Human Friends and Enemies Surprising New Observations and Practical Advice for Readers Who Want to Record and Analyse Bird Calls Themselves