Migration routes and important resting areas of Siberian cranes (Grus leucogeranus) between northeastern Siberia and China as revealed by satellite tracking

Abstract

In 1995 and 1996 thirteen Siberian cranes (Grus leucogeranus) were fitted with satellite transmitters on the breeding grounds in northeastern Siberia. Eleven of these 13 birds were successfully satellite tracked, and five of these 11 provided complete migratory information from their breeding grounds in Yakutia, Siberia, to their wintering area at Poyang Lake, in China. Several stopover sites were identified, the most important being in Qiqihar-Baicheng (China), Shuangtaizi River delta (China), and Yellow River delta (China). Birds rested more frequently in Russia than in China, suggesting availability of suitable wetland habitat in Russia and absence of adequate, suitable wetland habitat in China. Wintering habitat in China also faces numerous threats. Habitats utilized by Siberian cranes are also important to other threatened wetland birds that have been satellite-tracked recently. If Siberian crane habitat needs fail to be addressed, this critically endangered species will be further endangered.