Cranes

Cranes are graceful, beautiful birds who, in general, can be quite ill tempered. They're not as bad as Swans, but many of the larger ones, especially Wattle Cranes, can be aggressive. Birds also seem to know to go for the eyes when they attack.  Any bird hand-grabs I've participated in always require eye protection. And, if they have a nest or chicks, even the smaller, delicate Crowned Cranes will threaten to gut you if you get too close. I completely agree in making them hunter pets. I am going to say I'm not too sure about Lullaby as their special power. They do not have particularly smooth melodic voices. There is a musicality to it, but also a harshness. I'd think eye gouge (blinding) would be a fitting ability.

There are 15 species and they are found pretty much world wide (except Antarctica and South America.) Some of the crane species migrate over long distances (1ooo's of miles) while some others do not migrate at all. I live in Florida and regularly see Sandhill Cranes in the open fields or flying over the house. Their call is unique and it's amazing to see that such interesting bird's natural environment, is my back yard.

As for basic body shape I am going to say that the in-game cranes mostly resemble the Demoiselle Crane. The colors though seem to be inspired by a variety of cranes.

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Demoiselle Crane - Anthropoides virgo - barbol - flickrCC

Saurus Crane - Grus antigone

Wattled Cranes at Khwai area of Botswana- lamsongf - flickrCC

Great Blue Heron - nouspique - flickrCC

This was a fun little quest  - A Visit with Lorewalker Cho - where you get to feed the cranes as a part of chores. Then they grow to like you, as clearly indicated by the pink hearts above their heads - "Well, my birds have taken a liking to you. I will follow their lead." Lorewalker Cho

Woot for little bits of zoo keeping sprinkled in the game.