(East African) Crowned Crane Factfile
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Scientific Name : Balearica regulorum gibberice
World Distribution
East African crowned cranes are found in central and eastern parts of Africa, below the Sahara desert.
Habitat
They live in open grasslands, preferably near to swampy water so that they can nest in clumps of wetland plants, out of the reach of predators. At night they find a tree to sleep in - ideally one with a good view of the surrounding area.
Feeding
Plants, grains, berries, insects, lizards and worms are on the menu for East African crowned cranes. They stamp the ground as they walk along to disturb insects, which they then grab! They rather enjoy the crops that farmers grow, too, which does not make them popular.
Predators
There are several large predators in the grasslands of Africa , most of whom would find a crane snack very acceptable! Adult cranes can take to the air, but baby cranes are much more vulnerable. Eggs are at risk too, which is why the parents usually lay them in swampy places that are hard to get to.
Breeding
These birds mate for life. To find the right partner, and to keep him/her interested year after year, they perform amazing dances that involve bowing, leaping, circling and trumpeting.
3 or 4 eggs are laid in a nest made of flattened reeds. Both parents keep them warm for 30 days and then both share the care of the chicks. Although the chicks can walk and eat almost as soon as they hatch, they cannot fly until they are ten weeks old, so they badly need their parents' protection.