East African Grey-Crowned Crane
Scientific Name: Balearica regulorum gibbericeps
Fast Fact:
Both the grey-crowned crane and the black crowned crane lack the coiled windpipe that other cranes use to produce their loud calls. These two cranes are also unique in that they cannot perch in the trees, unlike other cranes, thanks to their long hind toes.
The grey-crowned crane is a social creature, often seen in flocks in the marshlands of Africa.
STATUS: The primary threats to these birds are habitat loss and illegal removal of birds and eggs from the wild for trade.
HABITAT: They live throughout much of eastern Africa, in wetland and grassland habitats. Although they may travel somewhat, depending on the abundance of food and water sources, these birds do not migrate.
DIET: Cranes feed on insects, grass seeds, invertebrates, reptiles and some small mammals.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: The average adult grey-crowned crane is just over three feet tall and weighs about seven pounds. These cranes have a dark grey body and wings that are mostly white but with various colored feathers. They have a crown of gold feather on top of their head. Their face is mostly white with small red patches on each upper side, and they have a bright red throat sac. They do not exhibit much sexual dimorphism, except that males tend to be slightly larger than females.
