France is an important destination for Common Cranes (Grus grus) which stop over during migration or which come to winter. The Lac du Der-Chantecoq welcomes them in large numbers. In flight, Common Cranes make trumpeting screams which are often the source of their name in many languages. The power of their call is due to the bird’s hollow sternum in which the trachea loops, acting as a sounding board. The young birds emit small, high-pitched and plaintive screams. The best time to observe the Common Cranes is from mid-October to mid-February.