Grey Crowned Crane
Balearica regulorum
The Grey Crowned Crane (Balearica regulorum) is a uncommon cran found in 24 countries, weighing about 3.8 kg. The grey crowned crane or gray crowned crane is a large crane species native to Sub-Saharan Africa.
About the Grey Crowned Crane
The grey crowned crane or gray crowned crane is a large crane species native to Sub-Saharan Africa. It occurs mainly in dry savannah, although it nests in somewhat wetter habitats, and can also be found in marshes, cultivated lands and grassy flatlands near rivers and lakes. Its body plumage is mainly grey and it has white cheeks, a red throat patch, and a stiff golden crown. It is omnivorous, consuming a wide variety of animal and plant matter, including plants, seeds, grain, insects, frogs, worms, snakes, small fish and the eggs of aquatic animals. It is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List. It is the National bird of Uganda.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The grey crowned crane is approximately 1 m (3 ft 3 in) tall, weighs 3.5 kg (7.7 lb), and has a wingspan of 2 m (6 ft 7 in). Its body plumage is mainly grey. The wings are predominantly white, dark grey and dark red with a golden yellow patch. The head has a crown of stiff golden feathers. The sides of the face are white, and there is a bright red inflatable throat pouch. The bill is relatively short and grey, and the legs are black. They have long legs for wading through the grasses. The feet are large, yet slender, adapted for balance rather than defence or grasping.
What the Grey Crowned Crane sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in United States, Belgium, France, Spain, Germany, Thailand, Italy.
When to see it
The Grey Crowned Crane can be seen all year round, with peak activity in November. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Watch the Grey Crowned Crane on live cams
- Angama Mara CamMaasai Mara, Kenya · Streaming now
- Tortilis Camp Waterhole, AmboseliAmboseli, Kenya · Streaming now
Browse all 118 bird cams worldwide, live and seasonal, by region and species.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Grey Crowned Crane?
- The grey crowned crane is approximately 1 m (3 ft 3 in) tall, weighs 3.5 kg (7.7 lb), and has a wingspan of 2 m (6 ft 7 in). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Grey Crowned Crane?
- The Grey Crowned Crane is a huge sized bird weighing about 3.8 kg.
- Where can you see a Grey Crowned Crane?
- The Grey Crowned Crane occurs in 24 countries, including South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda.
- What does a Grey Crowned Crane sound like?
- You can listen to a field recording of the Grey Crowned Crane on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Grey Crowned Crane?
- The Grey Crowned Crane is most easily confused with the Black Crowned Crane.
- Is the Grey Crowned Crane endangered?
- The Grey Crowned Crane is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Grey Crowned Crane for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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