Blue Crane

Overview

The blue crane (Anthropoides paradiseus), also known as the Stanley crane or paradise crane, is a tall, ground-dwelling bird that serves as the national bird of South Africa. Listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, this species is the most geographically restricted of all crane species and has experienced a significant population decline since 1980.

Identification

• Pale blue-gray plumage that darkens on the upper head, neck, and nape, with a distinctly lighter, sometimes whitish crown and lores.
• Fairly small for a crane, standing 100–120 cm tall with a wingspan of 180–200 cm and a relatively large head with a proportionately thin neck.
• Ochre to greyish bill with a pink tinge, and long wingtip feathers that trail to the ground.
• Juveniles are slightly lighter with tawny head coloration and lack the long wing plumes of adults.

Habitat

Blue cranes inhabit dry grassy uplands, including pastured hills, valleys, and plains with scattered trees, generally nesting at elevations between 1,300 and 2,000 metres. They are altitudinal migrants, moving to lower altitudes in winter, and prefer nesting areas with access to both upland and wetland zones. Their range is primarily eastern and southern South Africa, with a small separate population in the Etosha Pan of northern Namibia and occasional isolated pairs in neighbouring countries.

Diet

Feeding almost entirely from the ground and rarely near wetlands, their diet consists mainly of grasses and sedges chosen based on proximity to nests. They are also regularly insectivorous, consuming large insects such as grasshoppers, and may supplement their intake with small animals like crabs, snails, frogs, and small lizards or snakes. Protein-rich foods are often broken down and fed to the young by the mother.

Did you know?

During the breeding season, blue cranes are aggressively protective of their nesting sites, attacking even innocent non-predatory animals such as antelope, cattle, tortoises, and sparrows. Humans who approach too closely have had their clothes torn and have been drawn blood by the aggressive male.