Demoiselle Cranes of Khichan
Khichan village in Rajasthan witnesses every year a unique symbiotic co existence of Man and Birds and a generous sharing of environment and resources . I had read about this and therefore made it an item on my itinerary of my Rajasthan Trip. Further links to the subject
khichan.com
Demoiselle Cranes in Khichan Rajasthan India
Khichan is a village in the Jodhpur district of the Indian state of Rajasthan that in recent years has established a tradition of feeding wild birds, including Demoiselle Cranes that winter here every year. Up to 3,000 kilograms (6,600 lb) of bird seed are consumed every day by the feeding birds. Khichan village now hosts over 20,000 Demoiselle Cranes from as early as August each year to as late as March of the following year. The village, which has become popular among bird watchers, achieved international recognition when it was featured in Birding World magazine in an article titled, “Khichan - the Demoiselle Crane village.
Visiting a bird sanctuary in the Indian desert (Keechen, Rajasthan)
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Visiting a bird sanctuary in the Indian desert (Keechen, Rajasthan)
Safari India: Demoiselle cranes of Khichan village in Rajasthan
Khichan village in Rajasthan became internationally recognized for its love for wild birds, particularly the Demoiselle cranes. Demoiselle cranes are the smallest cranes in the world. It is said that a couple of bird-lovers in the village began feeding these migratory birds, considered auspicious by the villagers, and ever since the count of birds flying here has increased over the years. The village now has become a popular tourist destination for bird lovers. (Audio in Hindi)
Watch full show:
Khichan: An affinity for cranes?
The Unstoppable Indians: Its not only the geography of Khichan that cranes like it for. Its more because of Ratan Lal Malloo Jain, who made a pledge to feed the feathered friends and the entire village makes sure there is enough food and water for the cranes.
Short journey of khichan || ( kurja nagri) || khichan|| demoncial crains
Short journey of my village ( kurja nagri) khichan
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Khichan
Khichan - the Demoiselle crane village in rajasthan, India.
Camping of Demoiselle Cranes in large number - Khichan, India
Migratory birds can be seen at many places, but what is special about this village Khichan is that the locals of the village offer quintals of grains to the birds early morning in a rectangular enclosure every day. The villagers enjoy a special relationship with the birds. These Eurasian cranes fly out of the breeding grounds of steppes and start flocking in and around the various water bodies of Khichan. They fly in from August and spend the winter months here.
The Demoiselle crane (Anthropoides virgo) is a species of crane found in central Eurasia, ranging from the Black Sea to Mongolia and North Eastern China. There is also a small breeding population in Turkey. These cranes are migratory birds. Birds from western Eurasia will spend the winter in Africa whilst the birds from Asia, Mongolia and China will spend the winter in the Indian subcontinent. The bird is symbolically significant in the culture of North India, where it is known as the koonj.
The demoiselle crane lives in a variety of different environments, including desert areas and numerous types of grasslands (flooded, mountain, temperate and tropical grassland) which are often within a few hundred metres of streams or lakes. However, when nesting, they prefer patchy areas of vegetation which is tall enough to conceal them and their nests, yet short enough to allow them look out for predators whilst incubating their eggs.
Demoiselle cranes have to take one of the toughest migrations in the world. In late August through September, they gather in flocks of up to 400 individuals and prepare for their flight to their winter range. During their migratory flight south, demoiselles fly like all cranes, with their head and neck straight forward and their feet and legs straight behind, reaching altitudes of 16,000-26,000 feet (4,875-7,925 m). Along their arduous journey they have to cross the Himalayan mountains to get to their over-wintering grounds in India. Many die from fatigue, hunger and predation from golden eagles. Simpler, lower routes are possible, such as crossing the range via the Khyber Pass. However, their presently preferred route has been hard-wired by countless cycles of migration. At their wintering grounds, demoiselles have been observed flocking with common cranes, their combined totals reaching up to 20,000 individuals. Demoiselles maintain separate social groups within the larger flock. In March and April, they begin their long spring journey back to their northern nesting grounds.
In Khichan, Rajasthan in India, villagers feed the cranes on their migration and these large congregations have become an annual spectacle.
The demoiselle crane is evaluated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies.
Source : Wikipedia
This footage is part of the professionally-shot broadcast stock footage archive of Wilderness Films India Ltd., the largest collection of HD imagery from South Asia. The Wilderness Films India collection comprises of 50, 000+ hours of high quality broadcast imagery, mostly shot on HDCAM / SR 1080i High Definition, Alexa, SR, XDCAM and 4K. Write to us for licensing this footage on a broadcast format, for use in your production! We are happy to be commissioned to film for you or else provide you with broadcast crewing and production solutions across South Asia. We pride ourselves in bringing the best of India and South Asia to the world...
Please subscribe to our channel wildfilmsindia on Youtube for a steady stream of videos from across India. Also, visit and enjoy your journey across India at clipahoy.com , India's first video-based social networking experience!
Reach us at rupindang @ gmail . com and admin@wildfilmsindia.com
Safari India: Demoiselle cranes of Khichan village in Rajasthan
Khichan village in Rajasthan became internationally recognized for its love for wild birds, particularly the Demoiselle cranes. Demoiselle cranes are the smallest cranes in the world. It is said that a couple of bird-lovers in the village began feeding these migratory birds, considered auspicious by the villagers, and ever since the count of birds flying here has increased over the years. The village now has become a popular tourist destination for bird lovers. (Audio in Hindi)
Watch full show:
Karni Mata Temple / Rat temple of India | Khichan bird sanctuary Phalodi | Jodhpur
It was our Day 5 and we were still in Bikaner. I wanted to see the famous temple of rates, which was still left from my travel list. And this video is all about it. It is known as Karni mata temple. However, after Bikaner, we did not reached to Jaisalmer directly. In the way we also say Khichan bird sanctuary which was kind of surprise to us. Check the whole video :)
Equipment used while making this video are -
Nikon D800E
Nikon D750
Nikkor 24-70mm 2.8 lens
Nikkor 14-24mm 2.8 lens
Nikkor 70-300mm mm 3.5-5.6 lens
Gopro Hero 5
Software used in editing video is Wondershare filmore.
Music used from Epidemic sound -
Thanks to Saurabh, who helped a lot in this trip
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Khichan Bird Sanctuary
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Migratory Birds Khichan Rajasthan
Our two week road trip to Rajasthan with some good friends took us to some very interesting places including a remote village which since the last decade or so has been regularly feeding migratory Demoiselle Cranes. The Cranes seem to have adopted this village and this year had 20,000 of them feeding every morning - consuming app 5 tonnes of feed every day. It was an exhilarating once-in-a-lifetime experience watching them come in organized formations, cautiously checking out the surroundings before finally zeroing in on the ample feed provided by a small group of dedicated villagers. For more on my travel / paintings do go to pritamvachani.com
Food poisoning in khichan 45 Demoiselle crane in injard
Sevaram feeds Demoiselle crane in Khinchan; a once in a lifetime spectacle.
On my last trip to the nondescript dusty village Khichan , I met Sevaram Malli Parihar who has been awarded many times for his single handed wildlife conservation efforts. He has fought tooth and nail to ensure that the 20,000 demoiselle cranes that migrate to his village from Siberia every winter are not harmed by electric poles, human intervention etc. Getting famous was not his motive when he started out but to serve the voiceless was the true calling of his life.
Every morning he feeds scores of cranes, birds and peacocks in a bird feeding house opposite his house. He also identifies any injured bird and takes them to animal hospital nearby if need be. The birds feed in batches in a very disciplined manner. It's amusing how the second batch of cranes waits outside the feeding house patiently until the first batch is at least halfway through the feed.
Its incredible and admiring how a single man can bring about enormous change in attitude towards wildlife conservation. He has not only convinced his fellow villagers to support in his cause but also a wary government. It was indeed inspiring to meet him and talk to him. I have always believed that only locals with the help of government can help sustain wildlife conservation. This video portrays the unique cordial relationship the cranes share with the locals villagers and animals of Khichan. Rajasthan sure extends its hospitality to human, animals alike. Padharo Mhare des is not just limited to two legged tourists
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INDIA: Feathered guests
Every year, these demoiselle cranes travel out of Mongolia to escape the winter. And the people of Khichan Village unfailingly welcome them with food and love.
Birds gather for drink at a waterhole in Rajasthan's desert
Duck and Demoiselle Cranes gather for a drink at a waterhole in Khichan Village in Rajasthan, India.
The demoiselle crane (Anthropoides virgo) is a species of crane found in central Eurasia, ranging from the Black Sea to Mongolia and North Eastern China. There is also a small breeding population in Turkey. These cranes are migratory birds. Birds from western Eurasia will spend the winter in Africa whilst the birds from Asia, Mongolia and China will spend the winter in the Indian subcontinent. The bird is symbolically significant in the culture of North India, where it is known as the koonj.
The demoiselle crane lives in a variety of different environments, including desert areas and numerous types of grasslands (flooded, mountain, temperate and tropical grassland) which are often within a few hundred metres of streams or lakes. However, when nesting, they prefer patchy areas of vegetation which is tall enough to conceal them and their nests, yet short enough to allow them look out for predators whilst incubating their eggs.
Demoiselle cranes have to take one of the toughest migrations in the world. In late August through September, they gather in flocks of up to 400 individuals and prepare for their flight to their winter range. During their migratory flight south, demoiselles fly like all cranes, with their head and neck straight forward and their feet and legs straight behind, reaching altitudes of 16,000-26,000 feet (4,875-7,925 m). Along their arduous journey they have to cross the Himalayan mountains to get to their over-wintering grounds in India. Many die from fatigue, hunger and predation from golden eagles. Simpler, lower routes are possible, such as crossing the range via the Khyber Pass. However, their presently preferred route has been hard-wired by countless cycles of migration. At their wintering grounds, demoiselles have been observed flocking with common cranes, their combined totals reaching up to 20,000 individuals. Demoiselles maintain separate social groups within the larger flock. In March and April, they begin their long spring journey back to their northern nesting grounds.
In Khichan, Rajasthan in India, villagers feed the cranes on their migration and these large congregations have become an annual spectacle.
The demoiselle crane is evaluated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies.
Source : Wikipedia
This footage is part of the professionally-shot broadcast stock footage archive of Wilderness Films India Ltd., the largest collection of HD imagery from South Asia. The Wilderness Films India collection comprises of 50, 000+ hours of high quality broadcast imagery, mostly shot on HDCAM / SR 1080i High Definition, Alexa, SR, XDCAM and 4K. Write to us for licensing this footage on a broadcast format, for use in your production! We are happy to be commissioned to film for you or else provide you with broadcast crewing and production solutions across South Asia. We pride ourselves in bringing the best of India and South Asia to the world...
Please subscribe to our channel wildfilmsindia on Youtube for a steady stream of videos from across India. Also, visit and enjoy your journey across India at clipahoy.com , India's first video-based social networking experience!
Reach us at rupindang @ gmail . com and admin@wildfilmsindia.com
Demoiselle Cranes -Khichan
Demoiselle cranes visit Khichan sanctuary every winter. Khichan hosts around 20,000 cranes sometime August onwards to March
The Demoiselle Cranes of Khichan
The Demoiselle Crane, Anthropoides virgo, is a species of crane found in central Eurasia, ranging from the Black Sea to Mongolia and North Eastern China. There is also a small breeding population in Turkey. These cranes are migratory birds. Birds from western Eurasia will spend the winter in Africa whilst the birds from Asia, Mongolia and China will spend the winter in the Indian subcontinent. The bird is symbolically significant in the culture of North India and Pakistan, where it is known as the koonj.
The Demoiselle is 85--100 cm (34--39 in) long, 76 cm (30 in) tall and has a 155--180 cm (61--71 in) wingspan. It weighs 2--3 kg (4.4--6.6 lbs). It is the smallest species of crane. The Demoiselle Crane is slightly smaller than the Common Crane but has similar plumage. It has a long white neck stripe and the black on the foreneck extends down over the chest in a plume.
It has a loud trumpeting call, higher-pitched than the Common Crane. Like other cranes it has a dancing display, more balletic than the Common Crane, with less leaping.
The Demoiselle Crane lives in a variety of different environments, including desert areas and numerous types of grasslands (flooded, mountain, temperate and tropical grassland) which are often within a few hundred metres of streams or lakes. However, when nesting, they prefer patchy areas of vegetation which is tall enough to conceal them and their nests, yet short enough to allow them look out for predators whilst incubating their eggs.
Demoiselle Cranes have to take one of the toughest migrations in the world. In late August through September, they gather in flocks of up to 400 individuals and prepare for their flight to their winter range. During their migratory flight south, Demoiselles fly like all cranes, with their head and neck straight forward and their feet and legs straight behind, reaching altitudes of 16,000-26,000 feet (4,875-7,925 m). Along their arduous journey they have to cross the Himalayan mountains to get to their over-wintering grounds in India. Many die from fatigue, hunger and predation from birds such as eagles. Simpler, lower routes are possible, such as crossing the range via the Khyber Pass. However, their presently preferred route has been hard-wired by countless cycles of migration. At their wintering grounds, Demoiselles have been observed flocking with Common Cranes, their combined totals reaching up to 20,000 individuals. Demoiselles maintain separate social groups within the larger flock. In March and April, they begin their long spring journey back to their northern nesting grounds.
In Khichan, Rajasthan in India, villagers feed the Cranes on their migration and these large congregations have become an annual spectacle.
The Demoiselle Crane is evaluated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies.
Source: Wikipedia
This footage is part of the professionally-shot broadcast stock footage archive of Wilderness Films India Ltd., the largest collection of HD imagery from South Asia. The Wilderness Films India collection comprises of tens of thousands of hours of high quality broadcast imagery, mostly shot on HDCAM 1080i High Definition, HDV and XDCAM. Write to us for licensing this footage on a broadcast format, for use in your production! We are happy to be commissioned to film for you or else provide you with broadcast crewing and production solutions across South Asia. We pride ourselves in bringing the best of India and South Asia to the world... Reach us at wfi @ vsnl.com and admin@wildfilmsindia.com.