Cuban flightless crane (SciiFii)

The Cuban flightless crane (Antigone cubensis) is a large, species of crane which is endemic to the island of Cuba in the Caribbean. The Cuban flightless crane was once extinct since the early Holocene, but has since been brought back from extinction by SciiFii and reintroduced to Cuba. The species was originally placed in the genus Grus, as Grus cubensis, however subsequent study of the genus resulted in moving the species to Antigone in 2020. Probably derived from an early invasion of sandhill cranes from North America, its closest living relative, the Cuban flightless crane differs from that species by, as well as larger size, having a proportionately broader bill, stockier legs, and with reduced wings and pectoral girdle, making the Cuban flightless crane flightless, hence its name. The Cuban flightless crane is about the same size as sandhill cranes, around 60 centimeters (2 feet) tall at the back with a full height of about 1 meter (3.3 feet) tall, but it is much more heavily built. The Cuban flightless crane is an omnivore that primarily feeds on seeds, insects, frogs, and small lizards. The conservation status of the Cuban flightless crane is Near Threatened due to some habitat loss and, historically, poaching, however, thanks to the conservationists, the Cuban flightless crane is a protected species.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii