| |
Balearica pavonina
Habitat: grasslands, flooded plains, marshes, grain fields and shorelines
Diet: Grass, seeds, corn, rice, insects, small reptiles, amphibians, fish, and crustaceans
Reproduction: West African crowned cranes are monogamous and remain a couple for life unless one mate dies or breeding is unsuccessful. Both the male and female build the nest together, incubate the eggs, and care for the young.
The age of sexual maturity for wild West African crowned crane is not known. Birds in captivity are usually capable of breeding at 3 years of age. Egg clutches are typically 2-3 eggs and the young hatch after 28 to 31 days of incubation. The young are precocial and capable of foraging with the parents soon after hatching. They can attain complete independence from the parents between 60 and 100 days after hatching.
Behavior: West African crowned cranes are diurnal, or active during the daytime. They are found in pairs during breeding season but can form large flocks during other times of the year.
Both visual and vocal displays play prominent roles in the lives of these cranes. Cranes are well known for their elaborate dances. Among crowned cranes, dancing can involve bows, leaps, runs, short flights, jerky bouncing, running and stick tossing. In adult cranes, dancing is thought to strengthen the pair bond and may also stimulate reproduction. Cranes of all ages, paired and unpaired, are known to dance. The function of dancing in young birds is not entirely known but it may help to reduce aggression with other cranes, provide physical exercise, or relieve anxiety.
Physical Description: The unmistakable feature of these birds is the elaborate, large, straw-colored crest that covers the top of the head. West African crowned cranes have long, slender necks and long legs.
Males and females are similarly colored; however, the males are slightly larger than the females. West African crowned cranes are a grayish overall color with slightly lighter under parts. Their tails, bills, long legs and toes are black, and they have a red wattle. The crane's beak is short, straight and sharp.
Conservation Status: Near Threatened
Fun Facts:
|
The crest is made up of semiplume feathers which are soft and bendable. These feathers are common along the head, neck, and upper back, and may be used for buoyancy and sensing vibrations |
|
Crowned Cranes have an incredible booming call for their size, and have many other honks that some cranes cannot replicate. |
|
If one bird starts dancing, chances are others will join in, and since they can be known to travel in groups of 6 to 20, the dancing display can be beautiful |
|
