Grey African Crowned Crane: Facts, Diet, Lifespan & Pics

The Crowned Crane is a beautiful and tall bird known for its catchy golden feathers. They form a crown-like shape on its head. This bird is also found in zoos and wildlife parks. Crowned Cranes are known for their graceful dances during mating season.

They have a loud and booming call that carries over long distances. These birds prefer open spaces with access to water. Their unique appearance and gentle nature often make them a crowd favorite wherever they’re seen.

Images of Crowned Crane

Price of Crowned Crane

A Crowned Crane can be bought for around $10,000 to $15,000 depending on age and breeder. Their ownership requires permits and legal paperwork.

General Characteristics of Crowned Crane

This bird is quite social and grabs public attention with its unique features. Here are some general characteristics of Crowned Crane.

Life Span of Crowned Crane

Crowned Cranes live around 20 to 25 years in the wild.  Their age can reach up to 30 years in captivity with proper care. Their lifespan improves with safe habitats and regular veterinary support.

Interesting Facts Of Crowned Crane

This bird has some interesting habits behind its back which can grab the attention of the public in a short period of time. Here are some exciting facts regarding this bird:

1. Oldest Bird Species Still Alive

Fossil records show that Crowned Cranes have existed for over 10 million years. That makes them one of the oldest surviving bird species on Earth.

They’ve outlived many other ancient creatures through major environmental changes even though they look quite delicate.

2. Sleep While Standing on One Leg

Crowned Cranes have an unusual sleeping habit and they often rest on one leg while standing. This behavior helps reduce muscle fatigue and maintain body warmth.

It also keeps them ready to react quickly if danger approaches in the wild.

3. Flexible Trachea That Increases Their Calls

Crowned Cranes have a long and flexible windpipe. This allows them to produce a wide range of loud and booming calls.

Their calls can travel for miles over open savannas and wetlands. This helps them communicate across long distances.

4. Balance Grace and Strength

Crowned Cranes are attractive dancers. They also have powerful wings and sharp claws. They can defend themselves quite effectively against smaller predators when threatened.

5. Visible Courtship Rituals

These birds perform attractive dances involving head bobbing, wing spreading, jumping, and calling during mating season.

Both males and females participate equally in these displays which makes them a symbol of partnership and balance.

6. Form Lifelong Pair Bonds

Crowned Cranes are monogamous and typically stay with the same mate for life. You’ll often see them moving around in pairs even outside of breeding season.

This maintains their close bond using synchronized movements and calls.

7. Important Role in Wetland Ecosystems

Crowned Cranes help control insect and small vertebrate populations. They help maintain a balanced ecosystem by feeding on insects, small fish, amphibians, and even rodents.

This greatly benefits the wetland environments they inhabit.

8. Fly Long Distances Despite Their Heavy Build

Crowned Cranes are capable of flying over 500 miles during seasonal movements despite their large size.

They move between wetlands and grasslands depending on water levels and food availability.

9. Use Wings as Shields to Protect Chicks

A parent Crowned Crane will spread its large wings wide when faced with danger. This creates a living shield for its chicks.

This not only hides the chicks from view but can also confuse potential predators with the sudden display.

10. Crown is Made of Stif and Golden Bristles

Their “crown” isn’t soft like other bird feathers. It’s made up of stiff and wire-like feathers that stand upright.

These bristle feathers catch sunlight beautifully and are believed to play a role in attracting mates.

11. National Emblem of Uganda

The Crowned Crane holds cultural significance in Africa, especially in Uganda. This is the country’s national bird and appears proudly on their flag and emblem.

Its graceful appearance symbolizes elegance and prosperity for the country.

12. Hatched Chicks are Ready to Explore

Crowned Crane chicks are precocial. This means they hatch with open eyes and can walk within hours after hatching.

They quickly learn to feed by watching their parents. This helps them survive early on in the wild.

13. Use Tools in a Unique Way

There have been observations of Crowned Cranes using sticks or grass to pick up insects from the ground. This behavior reflects a higher level of problem-solving capability than many expect from birds.

14. Only Cranes That Can Rest in Trees

Crowned Cranes can grasp branches and perch in trees using the long hind toe called a hallux. This is a rare feature among cranes because most species are strictly ground dwellers.

This also helps them avoid predators at night.

Sightseeing of Crowned Crane

These birds are mostly seen in the zoo as they are not native to the USA. Here are some places in the USA in which Crowned Cranes:

Photography Tips for Crowned Crane

This bird should be captured in the camera using some expert photography tips because of its uniqueness among bird species.

• Catch Crowned Cranes early in the morning when the light is soft and the birds are most active.

• Use a telephoto lens to safely photograph them from a distance without disturbing their natural behavior.

• Focus on their golden crown feathers when the sunlight hits just right for a catchy glow.

• Stay patient and quiet because sudden movements can easily disturb these cautious birds.

Most Asked Questions

1. What is a Crowned Crane?

A Crowned Crane is a tall, elegant bird known for the crown of stiff golden feathers on its head.

2. Why are Crowned Cranes special?

They can dance, bow, and jump during courtship displays, making them one of the most graceful bird species.

3. Are Crowned Cranes endangered?

Yes, some species like the Grey Crowned Crane are considered endangered due to habitat loss and illegal pet trade.