Crested crane

Species

Two subspecies of the crested or grey-crowned crane can be found in Africa.

Balearica regulorum gibbericeps
Balearica regulorum regulorum

East African crested crane
South African crested crane

Population

In the 1970s, other were 70,000 crested cranes but by 2011, this number had dropped to <10,000. In 2016, the IUCN assessed the crested crane as endangered with numbers decreasing. There are an estimated 22,000 mature birds.

Size

Crested cranes stand 90 cm tall and weigh 3.5 kgs.
From their name, they indeed have a crest or crown of stiff yellow/gold feathers on their head. They have a velvet black forehead and red throat pouches which can inflate. Their neck is greyish.

Habitat & distribution

Crested cranes like dry open areas to feed but prefer wet areas ( riverbanks and wetlands) to nest.
The East African crested crane is found in Uganda and Kenya.
The South African crested crane is found in southern parts of Angola and South Africa.

National bird of Uganda

The crested crane appears on Uganda's flag and on their coat of arms. It was chosen because of its beauty and elegance and it may be no coincidence that they bear the same colours as the Ugandan flag (black, red and yellow). The crested crane has been the national symbol for almost 100 years.

Diet

Omnivores: while they prefer seeds of grasses and sedges, the will also eat leaves, grass, insects, worms, rats, flies, grasshoppers, small fish and sometimes snakes. They spend the day feeding and sleep in trees at night.

Interesting facts

~ The crested crane is famous for dancing! Males and females dance during courtship. Once they have paired up, they continue to do dance displays. They spread their wings and flap them as they skip around. This shows off their beautiful wings - white contrasting with black and brownish/red on the edges. Sometimes flocks of cranes dance.
~ Some crested cranes live in the Sahara desert and migrate south.
~ Crested cranes are among only two crane species that have the ability to roost in trees and avoid predators. They have a special long hind toe that helps them perch on branches.

Group

Flocks of 30-150 may be seen around wetlands. Pairs are monogamous (stay together for life).

Breeding & lifespan

Crested cranes make a nest on the ground out of wetland grass and vegetation. 2-5 dirty white eggs are laid and both parents take turns at incubating the eggs. They take 28-31 days to hatch. The hatchlings are well developed and can run not long after they hatch.
Crested cranes can live for 22 years in the wild.

Predators & threats

Domestic dogs prey on crested cranes.
Humans are the main threat due to habitat loss. Wetlands are being reclaimed for agriculture. Unfortunately, crested cranes are regarded by some as a symbol of status. They face poaching and are kept as illegal pets. Some witch doctors believe the eggs pass on luck for a good, long lasting relationship (like the crested crane) and love potions are made from various body parts. Others also believe the feathers have medicinal properties.