Start thread behind the eye and lay a smooth base back to the 70% mark.
Stand a clump of white calf hair or poly yarn as an upright post at the 70% mark; take criss-cross turns at its base, then wrap a thread dam up the front to lock it vertical.
Knot three pheasant tail fibers to form each hind leg with a single overhand knot for the joint, then bind two knotted legs angled back and out at the rear, splayed low. Cranes are all legs, so let them trail well past the bend.
Dub a thin, sparse body from the bend forward to the post. Half the dubbing you think keeps the slim crane profile.
Tie in the grizzly hackle by its stem against the post and wind 4-5 turns down the post, each turn beneath the last, then secure.
Dub a small thorax in front of the post, sweep the hackle fibers up out of the way, and whip finish behind the eye.
Snip the post to about one shank length and add a pinpoint of head cement to the whip finish and the post base.