Sarus Crane ( Grus antigone) is the tallest flying bird on earth and is a common resident of marshes and shallow wetlands in India. They pair for life and myth has it that if one of the pair dies, the other will starve itself to death. The Saraus Crane has always been highly venerated by the Hindus and there are mentions of these birds in ancient scriptures and other books. The courtship calls and displays of the Sarus pairs just before the onset of Monsoons are very romantic treats in the Indian countryside.