Egrets and cranes are both very long-legged, but they are not in the same family (remember that from bio?/ Kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus species.) I like cranes, too. The only one I've ever seen in the wild was on the side of the road by Orlando International Airport. They are not common in my area at all.
You should take up birding. It can be done at many levels. I hardly spend any money at all, but some people travel the world and buy $1000 binoculars. It's a fun hobby for all.
