Grey Crowned Crane
WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre.
What3Words
///trailers.ripen.grownup
The Grey Crowned Crane (Balearica regulorum) is an elegant, large bird native to Sub-Saharan Africa, instantly recognizable by its unique and striking appearance. It is the national bird of Uganda, featured prominently on the country's flag and coat of arms.
Appearance: This crane stands about 1 meter (3.3 feet) tall with a wingspan of up to 2 meters (6.7 feet). Its body plumage is mainly grey, but its most distinctive feature is a crown of stiff, golden-yellow feathers on its head. It also has white cheek patches, a bright red, inflatable throat pouch (gular sac), and a short, grey bill.
Habitat: They are highly adaptable and found in mixed wetland and grassland environments, including marshes, riverbanks, cultivated fields, and open savannahs. They are unique among cranes for their ability to roost in trees, thanks to a long hind toe that can grasp branches.
Diet: They are omnivores, foraging during the day for a variety of items including plants, seeds, grains, insects, frogs, worms, snakes, and small fish. They often stamp their feet while walking to flush out insects, and sometimes follow grazing animals to catch prey disturbed by their movement.
Behavior: Grey Crowned Cranes are known for their elaborate courtship dances, which involve bowing, jumping, and wing flapping. They form strong, monogamous pair bonds that often last for life, and both parents share the duties of building the nest and raising the young. They are gregarious birds outside the breeding season, often forming flocks of 30 to 150 individuals.
Vocalization: Unlike other cranes that trumpet, the Grey Crowned Crane makes a distinct "booming" call by inflating its red throat pouch, and also produces a honking sound.
Grey Crowned Crane
WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre.
What3Words
///trailers.ripen.grownup
The Grey Crowned Crane (Balearica regulorum) is an elegant, large bird native to Sub-Saharan Africa, instantly recognizable by its unique and striking appearance. It is the national bird of Uganda, featured prominently on the country's flag and coat of arms.
Appearance: This crane stands about 1 meter (3.3 feet) tall with a wingspan of up to 2 meters (6.7 feet). Its body plumage is mainly grey, but its most distinctive feature is a crown of stiff, golden-yellow feathers on its head. It also has white cheek patches, a bright red, inflatable throat pouch (gular sac), and a short, grey bill.
Habitat: They are highly adaptable and found in mixed wetland and grassland environments, including marshes, riverbanks, cultivated fields, and open savannahs. They are unique among cranes for their ability to roost in trees, thanks to a long hind toe that can grasp branches.
Diet: They are omnivores, foraging during the day for a variety of items including plants, seeds, grains, insects, frogs, worms, snakes, and small fish. They often stamp their feet while walking to flush out insects, and sometimes follow grazing animals to catch prey disturbed by their movement.
Behavior: Grey Crowned Cranes are known for their elaborate courtship dances, which involve bowing, jumping, and wing flapping. They form strong, monogamous pair bonds that often last for life, and both parents share the duties of building the nest and raising the young. They are gregarious birds outside the breeding season, often forming flocks of 30 to 150 individuals.
Vocalization: Unlike other cranes that trumpet, the Grey Crowned Crane makes a distinct "booming" call by inflating its red throat pouch, and also produces a honking sound.