Crowned Crane

Grey Crowned Crane

Scientific name: Balearica regulorum

 

The Grey Crowned-Crane (also known as a Crested Crane) is a very large bird (often over a meter tall) and has a distinctive ‘crown’ of golden feathers on the top of its head. Grey crowned-cranes have a distinctive ‘booming’ call which they make by inflating the red sacks underneath their chin.

Breeding pairs of cranes are monogamous. Couples often ‘sing’ to one another to affirm their bond; this is known as unison calling. Cranes are also known for ‘dancing’. They move their bodies, bob their heads and leap around; this is usually to impress the opposite sex during courtship. However, the crane’s dance can also be a sign of aggression.

Grey Crowned-Cranes share their parental duties. The male and the female build a nest together and both help out with incubating the egg and raising the young. 

Endangered (Inc. Bar)

  1. We live...

    On the hill, left of the entrance, next to the Red Deer

Adopt an animal Animal Encounters

  1. Size Fact

    A full-grown, full-sized crane’s wingspan can reach up to 2 meters wide.

  2. Food Fact

    Cranes have been known to eat other birds’ eggs.

  3. Fun Fact

    The Grey Crowned-Crane is the national bird of Uganda.

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