Gray Crowned Crane ( Balearica regulorum gibbericeps )
Gray Crowned Crane - Gray Crowned Crane information - Gray Crowned Crane facts
The Grey crowned crane is the most common crane in Africa with a population of about 90 000 individuals. It is distributed mainly in eastern Africa /from Kenya to Mozambique and from Angola to Namibia/, however it can be also found in South Africa as well. It lives rather a solitary life, but sometimes especially during the dry season it is found in large flocks. Cranes live in agricultural areas, grasslands and wetlands. Their nest is placed on the ground and made from vegetation.
Belearica regulorum is 110 cm /43 inches/ long. There is a golden crown on its quite small head with white cheeks. In front and behind the cheeks there is a black area, above and below there is a red-colored area. The long neck is pale grayish, whereas the back is dark grayish. Its wings are white with golden ending and the tail is brown. This all creates rather a colorful plumage. The Grey crowned crane is rather tall with long grayish legs. The young has got brown plumage.
The breeding period depends on the rainfall. Incubation lasts approximately four weeks. The young birds remain in the nest for at least nine weeks. They become sexually mature during their second year. Cranes are omnivorous. Their diet ranges from insects, vegetation to small animals such as frogs.
|
