Crowned Crane

Grey Crowned Crane

Scientific name: Balearica regulorum

 

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. 

Endangered (Inc. Bar)

  1. At Noah's Ark...

    We have a pair that live in the bird walk through, and a pair that live in the Vulture Aviary.

Adopt an animal Animal Encounters

  1. Size Fact

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

  2. Food Fact

    Cranes have been known to eat other birds’ eggs.

  3. Fun Fact

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

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