🌍 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

🌍 Black crowned crane (Balearica pavonina) The black crowned crane is a striking bird with a predominantly black body, highlighted by distinctive white wing patches and a golden crown of stiff feathers. They also display red and white cheek patches. These cranes are found across sub-Saharan Africa, favoring wetlands, grasslands, and savannas. They are often seen in pairs or flocks. Their behavior includes elaborate courtship dances, and they are known for their loud, booming calls. They forage for seeds, insects, and small vertebrates, and uniquely, they can roost in trees. Two subspecies are recognised. Conservation status: Vulnerable (IUCN 3.1) 📷: Photo by ZeeCee via Pixabay https://pixabay.com/photos/bird-crane-ornithology-species-6659337/ GBUD

New addition! 🌍 Black crowned crane (Balearica pavonina) #AfricanBirds | #BlackCrownedCrane #BalearicaPavonina | #CrownedCranes #Cranes #CraneFamily 📷: Photo by ZeeCee🦜 #birdsoftheworld #birds

🌎 Sandhill crane (Antigone canadensis) Sandhill cranes are large, gray birds with long necks and legs. They have a distinctive red patch on their foreheads and a wingspan of up to 2 m (7 ft). These migratory birds breed across North America and northeastern Siberia, and winter in the southern United States, Mexico, and Central America. They inhabit wetlands like marshes and swamps. Sandhill cranes are known for their loud, trumpeting calls and elaborate courtship dances. They are social birds that often gather in large flocks. Five subspecies are recognised. Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1) 📷: Photo by rfotostock via Pixabay ODSZ

🌎 Sandhill crane (Antigone canadensis) #NorthAmericanBirds #AsianBirds | #SandhillCrane | #Cranes #CraneFamily #Waterbirds 📷: Photo by rfotostock🦜 #birdsoftheworld #birds

Wow. The #CraneEstate didn't disappoint. What a gorgeous home!

#ipswichma #castlehill #Cranefamily #christmas