The group dance fest is concluded when all participants take flight and circle the area prior to breaking up into smaller groups or pairs. Up and Away Demoiselle cranes migrate long distances. In late August through September, they gather in flocks of up to 400 individuals and prepare for their flight to their winter range. Along their arduous journey, many die from fatigue, hunger and predation from birds such as eagles. At their wintering grounds, demoiselles have been observed flocking with Eurasian cranes, their combined totals reaching up to 20,000 individuals.
Demoiselles maintain separate social groups within the larger flock.
In March and April, demoiselle cranes begin their long spring journey back to their northern nesting grounds. The zoo's demoiselle cranes can be seen at the Asian Marsh exhibit in Tropical Asia. Watch for cranes amid the dense foliage. The demoiselle crane is not endangered at this time. Their range, however, has dwindled considerably over the last 150 years.