Grey Crowned Crane

Informazioni

The Grey Crowned Crane is a tall, elegant bird known for its distinctive golden crown of stiff feathers. It is one of two species of crowned cranes, characterized by their ability to perch in trees, a trait uncommon among other crane species. This species is iconic to the African savannas and wetlands, playing a significant ecological role.

Dimensioni e longevità

Lunghezza

100-110 cm (39-43 in)

Apertura alare

180-200 cm (71-79 in)

Peso

3-4 kg (6.6-8.8 lbs)

Longevità

20-25 years in the wild, up to 30-40 years in captivity

Dieta

Omnivore

Caratteristiche fisiche

Piumaggio

Predominantly grey body plumage, with white wing coverts, chestnut secondary feathers, and black primary feathers. The most striking feature is the stiff, golden-yellow crown feathers on the head. The cheeks are white, with a prominent red gular sac (throat pouch) that inflates during display. A small patch of black velvety feathers is present on the forehead.

Forma del becco

Relatively short, stout, and dark grey to black, conical in shape.

Colore degli occhi

Pale grey to blue-grey

Colore delle zampe

Black

Caratteristiche distintive

Golden crown, red gular sac, white cheek patches, and the ability to perch in trees. The overall grey body with contrasting white, chestnut, and black wing feathers in flight is also distinctive.

Aspetto giovanile

Juveniles have duller plumage, with a brownish-grey body and a less developed, brownish crown. The facial patches are less distinct, and the gular sac is smaller and paler, often pinkish.

Cambiamenti stagionali

No significant seasonal plumage changes. The intensity of the red gular sac may be more pronounced during breeding season due to hormonal influences.

Dimorfismo sessuale

Males and females are generally monomorphic in plumage, though males tend to be slightly larger. During breeding displays, the male's gular sac may appear more prominent.

Come identificare

1. 1

   Golden Crown

   Look for the unmistakable stiff, golden-yellow crown of feathers on the head. This is the most prominent and unique feature.

2. 2

   Facial Markings

   Observe the white cheek patches and the prominent red gular sac (throat pouch) below the chin. A small black velvety patch is on the forehead.

3. 3

   Plumage Color

   Note the overall grey body, contrasting with white wing coverts, chestnut secondaries, and black primaries, especially visible in flight.

4. 4

   Behavior

   Watch for their characteristic upright posture, slow deliberate walk, and their ability to perch in trees, which is unusual for cranes.

5. 5

   Vocalization

   Listen for their deep, resonant 'maa-hem' or 'oom-pa-pa' calls, often accompanied by the inflation of the red gular sac.

Habitat e areale

Biomi

Grasslands, savannas, wetlands, agricultural lands

Areale geografico

Eastern and Southern Africa, from Uganda and Kenya south to South Africa. Two recognized subspecies have slightly different distributions: Balearica regulorum regulorum (Southern Crowned Crane) in southern Africa and Balearica regulorum gibbericeps (East African Crowned Crane) in eastern Africa.

Fascia altitudinale

Sea level up to 3,000 meters (9,800 ft), but typically found in lower to mid-elevations.

Ambienti preferiti

Open grasslands, savannas, and cultivated areas adjacent to wetlands, marshes, and shallow freshwater bodies. They require areas with tall grasses for nesting and roosting, and open areas for foraging.

Comportamento

Periodo di attività

Diurnal

Abitudini alimentari

Forages by walking slowly, pecking at the ground. Diet includes insects (grasshoppers, crickets), other invertebrates (worms, snails), small vertebrates (frogs, lizards, fish), seeds, grains, and plant shoots. They often follow grazing animals to catch disturbed insects.

Comportamento sociale

Highly social birds, often found in pairs or small family groups, but can form large flocks of hundreds outside the breeding season, especially at roosting sites or foraging areas. They engage in elaborate courtship dances.

Tipo di volo

Strong, direct flight with slow, deliberate wing beats. They fly with their neck extended forward and legs trailing behind. They can soar on thermals.

Migrazione

Generally sedentary, but some populations undertake local or seasonal movements in response to rainfall and food availability. They are not long-distance migrants like some other crane species.

Territorialità

Breeding pairs are territorial, defending their nesting sites. Outside the breeding season, they are less territorial and form communal roosts.

Riproduzione

Stagione riproduttiva

Varies geographically, often coinciding with the rainy season (e.g., March-May in East Africa, September-February in Southern Africa) when food is abundant.

Abitudini di nidificazione

Nests are typically large, circular platforms made of grasses and other vegetation, built in shallow water or dense marsh vegetation, often well-concealed. Both parents participate in nest construction.

Dimensione della covata

2-4 eggs, most commonly 2-3.

Descrizione dell'uovo

2-4 eggs, pale blue to olive-brown, unspotted. Oval to sub-elliptical in shape.

Periodo di incubazione

28-31 days

Periodo di involo

Chicks are precocial, able to leave the nest within 24 hours of hatching. They fledge (become capable of sustained flight) at around 56-100 days.

Cure parentali

Both parents share incubation duties and care for the chicks. Chicks are fed by regurgitation initially and then led to foraging areas.

Dove trovarlo

Consigli sul campo

1. Early Morning/Late Afternoon. These are often the best times to observe them as they are most active foraging and vocalizing.
2. Look Near Water. Always check wetland edges, riverbanks, and shallow water bodies, as they are highly dependent on these habitats.
3. Listen for Calls. Their distinctive calls can often lead you to their location, especially during the breeding season.
4. Observe Courtship Displays. During the breeding season, look for their elaborate dances, which involve bowing, jumping, and gular sac inflation.
5. Scan for Perched Birds. Unlike most cranes, they roost and sometimes perch in trees, so scan the branches of trees near water.

Specie simili

Fatti rapidi

National Bird:

Uganda

Unique Trait:

Can perch in trees

Diet Type:

Opportunistic omnivore

Social Structure:

Pairs or large flocks

Conservation Threat:

Habitat loss and illegal egg/chick collection

Curiosità

• The Grey Crowned Crane is the national bird of Uganda and is featured prominently on its national flag and coat of arms.
• Their elaborate courtship dance involves bowing, jumping, and a unique 'gular sac inflation' display, where they inflate their red throat pouch to produce a booming call.
• Unlike most other crane species, crowned cranes have a long hind toe that allows them to grasp branches and perch in trees.
• They often forage alongside grazing animals like cattle, taking advantage of insects disturbed by the movement of the larger animals.
• Despite their large size, their nests are often well-hidden within dense wetland vegetation, making them difficult to spot.

Classificazione scientifica

Regno

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Classe

Aves

Ordine

Gruiformes

Famiglia

Gruidae

Genere

Balearica

Specie

Balearica regulorum

Esplora Grey Crowned Crane