Name

Grey Crowned Crane

Scientific Name

Balearica regulorum

Characteristics

The Grey Crowned-Crane (also known as a Crested Crane) is a very large bird (often over a meter tall) and has a distinctive ‘crown’ of golden feathers on the top of its head. Grey crowned-cranes have a distinctive ‘booming’ call which they make by inflating the red sacks underneath their chin.

Breeding pairs of cranes are monogamous. Couples often ‘sing’ to one another to affirm their bond; this is known as unison calling. Cranes are also known for ‘dancing’. They move their bodies, bob their heads and leap around; this is usually to impress the opposite sex during courtship. However, the crane’s dance can also be a sign of aggression.

Grey Crowned-Cranes share their parental duties. The male and the female build a nest together and both help out with incubating the egg and raising the young. 

Diet

Cranes are omnivores, which means they eat a variety of plant materials and meat.

Size Fact

A full-grown, full-sized crane’s wingspan can reach up to 2 meters wide.

Food Fact

Cranes have been known to eat other birds’ eggs.

Fun Fact

The Grey Crowned-Crane is the national bird of Uganda.

IUCN Red list

The Grey Crowned-Crane is classified as Endangered on the IUCN red list.

Where do I live?

Grey Crowned-Cranes originate from Africa.

Our animals

At Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, we have two types of crane: the Common Crane and the Grey Crowned-Crane.