The grey crowned crane is a bird in the crane family Gruidae. It occurs in dry savannah in Africa south of
the Sahara, although it nests in somewhat wetter habitats. They can also be found in marshes, cultivated
lands and grassy flatlands near rivers and lakes in Uganda and Kenya and as far south as South Africa. This
animal does not migrate due to the perfect climate it inhabits. There are two subspecies. The East African B.
r. gibbericeps (crested crane) occurs in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in Uganda, of
which it is the national bird represented in its national flag, and Kenya to eastern South Africa. It has a
larger area of bare red facial skin above the white patch than the smaller nominate species, B. r. regulorum
(South African crowned crane), which breeds from Angola south to South Africa. This species and the closely
related black-crowned crane are the only cranes that can roost in trees, because of a long hind toe that can
grasp branches. This habit, amongst other things, is a reason why the relatively small Balearica cranes are
believed to closely resemble the ancestral members of the Gruidae.
Description
The grey crowned crane is about 1 m (3.3 ft) tall and weighs 3.5 kg (7.7 lbs) and a wingspan of 2 m (6.5 ft).
Its body plumage is mainly grey. The wings are also predominantly white, but contain feathers with a range
of colours. The head has a crown of stiff golden feathers. The sides of the face are white, and there is a
bright red inflatable throat pouch. The bill is relatively short and grey, and the legs are black. They have
long legs for wading through the grasses. The feet are large, yet slender, adapted for balance rather than
defence or grasping. The sexes are similar, although males tend to be slightly larger. Young birds are
greyer than adults, with a feathered buff face.
Range
The grey crowned crane is the national bird of Uganda and features in the country's flag and coat of arms.
Although the grey crowned crane remains common over much of its range, it faces threats to its habitat due
to drainage, overgrazing, and pesticide pollution. Their global population is estimated to be between 58,000
and 77,000 individuals. In 2012 it was uplisted from vulnerable to endangered by the IUCN.
Diet
These cranes are omnivores, eating plants, seeds, grain, insects, frogs, worms, snakes, small fish and the
eggs of aquatic animals. Stamping their feet as they walk, they flush out insects which are quickly caught
and eaten. The birds also associate with grazing herbivores, benefiting from the ability to grab prey items
disturbed by antelopes and gazelles. They spend their entire day looking for food. At night, the crowned
crane spends its time in the trees sleeping and resting.
Habitat
Habita en pantanos, donde se alimenta de grandes insectos, ranas y sapos, cereales y otros vegetales.
Vuela pesadamente, con el cuello y las patas algo caídos, y descansa en los árboles. Las parejas se
exhiben con una danza a saltos y su fuerte reclamo a dos notas.
Reproduction
During the breeding season, pairs of cranes construct a large nest; a platform of grass and other plants in
tall wetland vegetation. The grey crowned crane lays a clutch of 2-5 glossy, dirty-white eggs, which are
incubated by both sexes for 28–31 days. Chicks are precocial, can run as soon as they hatch, and fledge in
56-100 days.
Behavior
The grey crowned crane has a breeding display involving dancing, bowing, and jumping. It has a booming call
which involves inflation of the red gular sac. It also makes a honking sound quite different from the
trumpeting of other crane species. Both sexes dance, and immature birds join the adults. Dancing is an
integral part of courtship, but also may be done at any time of the year.
Flocks of 30-150 birds are not uncommon.
