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Scientific Name: |
Balearica regulorum gibbericeps
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Range: |
Southeastern Africa, including Uganda, Kenya, Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique
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Habitat: |
Dry or wet open areas including grasslands and marshes. Nests in open trees with a good view along rivers
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Natural Diet: |
Grasses, grain, insects, frogs, crab, and lizards
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Zoo Diet: |
Zoo fowl grain and insects
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Physical
Characteristics:
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Adults reach about 3 and a half feet in height and can have a wing span of up to 6 and a half feet. Their bodies are generally dark grey with a paler neck and underbody. The face has a black patch on the forehead and red and white patches on the cheek. There is also an easily identifiable yellow tuft of bristle-like feathers on top of the head.
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Behavior: |
These cranes leave their roost around dawn, feed during the day, and return again at nightfall. They spend about 50-75% of their time foraging for food. They are least active during the hot midday hours and rest near water.
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Reproduction: |
Crowned cranes are monogamous and stay together throughout the year or even for life if breeding is successful. They can breed all year round. The nest is made in shallow water or on marshy ground. The female usually lays 2 or 3 eggs, which are incubated for 28-31 days. The chicks can run as soon as they are hatched and can fly within 10 weeks.
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