Many crane species are flightless during the molt, which usually occurs during late spring when the adults are raising their chicks. It is not unusual for flightless cranes to stay near heavier cover until they and their young can fly. Cranes, such as the crowned cranes, living in predator-dense areas lose their feathers over a longer period of time and never become flightless. Painting acts as camouflage, helping the cranes hide amid the brown vegetation of an early spring marsh. Siberian cranes also paint themselves, but only at the base of the neck.
Cranes are aggressive birds.
When fighting, they leap into the air to rake opponents with their sharp claws or stab at an opponent with their bill. This continues until one bird runs or flies away, sometimes closely pursued by the victorious bird. Fighting is dangerous to both participants, however, so cranes use a complex system of threat behaviors allowing rivals to avoid fighting. Communication includes both physical postures and vocalizations. Most crane species also will flash the bright red patch on top of their heads to an opponent or predator to indicate growing excitement.