🌍 Grey crowned crane (Balearica regulorum) The grey crowned crane is a striking bird, approximately 1 metre tall, with a predominantly grey body, white wings with gold and brown feathers, and a distinctive black patch. Its head is crowned with stiff golden feathers, complemented by white cheek patches and a vibrant red inflatable throat pouch. Its legs are long and black, suited for wading. This species is found across eastern and southern Africa, inhabiting wetlands, grasslands, and savannahs, often near water bodies. They are non-migratory but undertake local movements based on food and water availability. Grey crowned cranes are highly social, often forming flocks of 30-150 individuals outside the breeding season. They are known for their elaborate courtship dances, involving bowing, jumping, and wing flapping, accompanied by booming calls from their inflated gular sac. Uniquely among cranes, they can roost in trees due to a long hind toe. They are monogamous and maintain strong pair bonds. 2.5 Flash (Edited) Two subspecies are recognised. Conservation status: Endangered (IUCN 3.1) 📷: Photo by moodin via Pixabay https://pixabay.com/photos/africa-animal-bird-safari-1203940/ DXBF
🌍 Grey crowned crane (Balearica regulorum) #AfricanBirds | #GreyCrownedCrane #AfricanCrownedCrane #GoldenCrestedCrane #GoldenCrownedCrane #EastAfricanCrane | #CrownedCranes #Cranes #CraneFamily #WadingBirds 📷: Photo by moodin🦜 #birdsoftheworld #birds
