The new form of crane from Trans-Caucasus

Traditionally ornithologists attributed the isolated population of the Eurasian Crane in Trans-Caucasus region to its eastern subspecies Grus grus lilfordi Sharpe, 1894. Our studies of a stuffed male crane and observations on two pairs of wild cranes in Armenia showed that these birds have several significant morphological differences from the two known forms of the Eurasian Crane. In particular, they lack a red patch on the back of the head; instead, black skin papillae with scarce hair-like feathers stretch from the base of the bill to the top of the head. It is proposed to name this new form Grus (grus) archibaldi after the world-renown crane researcher and conservationist Dr. George Archibald. Exact taxonomical status of this form needs to be determined. Holotype. Male ad, 13 July 1949, near Stepanavan, Armenia. Institute of Zoology, National Academy of Science, Erevan, № 87.