Russia's President Vladimir Putin looks on during an awarding ceremony in the Kremlin in Moscow, on August 29, 2012. (MISHA JAPARIDZE/AFP)

Is it a bird?

A TU-95 Bear bomber?

No, it's just the most interesting Russian in the world.

After testing his mettle by hunting grey whales and facing down tigers, and being hailed a master of sports in his home country and exploring the depths in scuba gear, Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to play surrogate father to endangered red Siberian cranes later this week.

As part of a stunt to bring attention to the plight of the rare birds, Putin will board a glider to try to teach captive-raised cranes to fly on their own.

Traditionally, humans in gliders have guided the birds to winter nesting areas.

While Putin is used to publicity stunts with animals, this takeoff may be a little gentler than the aggressive breeds he's used to.

The leader is expected to wear a white jumpsuit and gloves that look like bird beaks.

Yuri Markin, spokesman for the Oksky State Biosphere Reserve explained to the Russian News Service radio station that they don't want the young birds imprinting on anyone.

"In this case, the parent must be a man in a white coat, so they do not remember a particular person -- they only remember the white smock with a hood," he told the news service.

Reporters will likely be kept away from the area, so they don't scare the cranes. But the president's latest stunt will likely be well documented -- from above and below.