Holocene Distribution of Common Crane Grus grus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Gruidae) in Bulgaria

The first summary of the past distribution (8000 to 1000 BP) of the common crane in Bulgaria is presented. It is based on the bone remains collected from 14 prehistoric and later archaeological sites. All bone remains were found in the vast lowlands and plains (mostly up to 200 m a.s.l.), often close to large rivers and lakes, which were also the species’ breeding habitats until its extinction in the 1950s as a breeding species in Bulgaria.