There are about fourteen different species in the crane family. All of them have individual characteristics that distinguish them from their relatives. One of the most striking representatives of this family is the Eastern crowned crane, which stands out from other birds not only in appearance, but also in its way of life.
Habitat
These birds live in open spaces. Despite the fact that the crowned crane prefers the banks of reservoirs, water meadows and freshwater marshes, it settles well in drier areas. They can be seen in rice fields or on plantations where other moisture-loving crops are grown. As a rule, these birds settle near acacias and other trees suitable for arranging an overnight stay. They mainly live in Ethiopia, Sudan, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, as well as in regions located south of the Sahara.
Crowned Crane Description
Thisa fairly tall bird, whose height is 91-104 centimeters, weighs up to five kilograms. The main part of her body is covered with black or dark gray plumage. The main distinguishing feature by which the crowned crane can be recognized is the head, decorated with a large golden crest formed by hard feathers. The cheeks of the bird are covered with red and white spots (a pair on both sides). It is from here that the second name of this bird, known as the red crowned crane, comes from.
Under the chin is a small throat pouch, similar to that of roosters or turkeys. On the black legs of this bird there is a rather long hind toe, thanks to which it is easily held on the branches of trees. This sets them apart from most of their relatives.
Interestingly, crowned cranes have practically no sexual dimorphism. Females are almost indistinguishable from males. As for the young, it can be recognized by a lighter color. The upper part of the body of growing birds is covered with reddish plumage.
Features of the mating season
The crowned crane begins to breed during the rainy season. Mutual courtship can manifest itself in several different ways. Most often, birds begin to release air from the throat sac, making popping sounds. At this moment, the small head of the crane leans forward slightly, after which it sharply throws back. They can also play a distinctive trumpet sound that distinguishes them from their relatives.
Often, courtship is accompanied by a mutual dance, which includes shaking the head, flapping wings, running and jumping. Sometimes males and females start tossing tufts of grass to get attention.
How does the crowned crane hatch chicks?
The nesting area of these birds is relatively small. The area, which is from ten to forty hectares, is carefully guarded from encroachments from other birds. A round nest of sedge or some other grass is built near a reservoir, and sometimes it hides in the very thick of aquatic vegetation. The female lays no more than five eggs.
The average incubation period is about a month. Not only the mother takes part in hatching, but also the father. But the female spends most of the time in the nest. The body of hatched chicks is covered with gray-brown fluff. Literally the next day, the babies begin to leave the nest. Cranes make their first independent flights at the age of three months.
What do these birds eat?
The crowned crane is omnivorous. He consumes food of plant and animal origin with equal appetite. The basis of its diet is made up of all kinds of seeds, shoots, insects and even small vertebrates.
Periodically, he feeds on cereals growing in agricultural fields. However, farmers have long ceased to perceive it as a pest. During the drought period, cranes migrate to higher ground, closer to the habitat of herds of largeanimals, since it is there that an abundance of disturbed invertebrates is noted.
The legend of the crowned crane
An amazing legend is spread among the indigenous African peoples, which tells about a lost leader who asked various animals to show him the right path. However, none of them helped him.
After quite a long wandering, the leader was lucky to meet cranes who managed to show him the right way. Filled with gratitude, the man presented each of these birds with a beautiful crown of pure gold. After some time, the cranes returned to him and complained that his gifts had been destroyed by other animals. The wise leader summoned a local sorcerer to himself, and with one touch on the heads of birds, he created noble feather ornaments for them.
