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African Crowned Crane

Balearica regulorum gibbericeps

Range

Eastern Africa from Kenya to South Africa, west to Zambia. Also in Angola and Namibia.

Habitat

Primarily inhabits grasslands and wetlands or savanna.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This crane presents a highly distinctive “crown” of gold feathers.

Dietary Classification

Diet in the Zoo: vegetables, eggs, mealworms, and commercial crane diet

Diet in the Wild: Consumes a vast array of different foods, including insects and seeds.

Life Span

over 20 years

Behavior/Adaptations

· The most abundant crane in Africa (although populations are declining).
· Crowned cranes are the only cranes that commonly preen each other’s heads in what appears to be both a maintenance activity and as a courtship display.

Status

Threatened (CITIES App. II)

Classification

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family	Genus	Species
Animalia	Chordata	Aves	Gruiformes	Gruidae	Balearica	regulorum