Gray-crowned Crane
The Gray-crowned Crane (Balearica regulorum) is a species of bird found in Africa south of the Sahara. Although it occurs in dry savannah, it nests in somewhat wetter habitats. Two subspecies are recognized: The East African Crested Crane (B. r. gibbericep) occurs from eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo through Uganda, of which it is the national bird, and Kenya to eastern South Africa. The South African Crowned Crane (B. r. regulorum) occurs from Angola south to South Africa.
The adult is 3.3 feet tall and weighs about 7.7 pounds. Its plumage is mainly gray. The wings are predominantly white, but contain feathers with an array of colors. The head crown has stiff golden feathers. The sides of the face are white, and there is a bright red inflatable throat pouch. The bill is short and gray, and the legs are black. Sexes are similar, although males are slightly larger than females. The young are grayer than the adults, with a beige feathered face. This species, along with the Black-crowned Crane, is the only species of crane that can roost in trees, because of a long hind toe that can grasp branches.
The Gray-crowned Crane has a breeding display that involves dancing, bowing, and jumping. Its call is exploding and involves inflation of its throat pouch. It also has a honking call that is much different than the sounds of other crane species. The nest is a platform of grass and other plants in tall wetland vegetation. The female lays 2 to 5 eggs and both sexes incubate them for 28 to 31 days. The chicks fledge at 56 to 100 days. Like all cranes, this species feeds on insects, small mammals and reptiles.
Although the Gray-crowned Crane remains common over much of its range, it faces threats to its habitat due to drainage, overgrazing, and pesticide pollution.