The
Blue Crane
The Blue Crane - Anthropoides
paradiseus - is the national bird of South Africa , yet it is threatened. It is endemic to Southern Africa. Of the 15 species of crane, the Blue
Crane has the most restricted distribution of all.
Description
Body plumage is silvery bluish
grey becoming darker on the upper neck and the lower half of the head and nape.
Blue Cranes have a long neck supporting a rather bulbous head, short pink bill
and black legs. The primary feathers are black or slate grey. The tertial
feathers of the wing are long, dark and dangle nearly to the ground, giving
this crane an elegant appearance. Males and females are virtually
indistinguishable. Juveniles are slightly lighter blue gray than adults, and
lack the long wing tertials.
Call
It is usually quiet, but has a
distinctive rattling croak, fairly high-pitched at call.
Food
The blue crane is primarily
vegetarian and eats small bulbs, seeds and roots. They do, however, eat a
variety of insects (locusts, termites, caterpillars, grasshoppers, beetles,
etc.), worms, crabs, fish, frogs, reptiles, and small mammals.
Breeding
A pair of blue cranes is said to
mate for life and display a wonderful courtship dance which comprises of the
two individuals jumping up and down with their wings extended. They usually lay
two eggs with an incubation period of 30 to 33 days and both male and female
incubate the eggs. Both chicks are frequently reared with each attempt and are
fed on an initial diet of insect larvae and worms. The chicks are able to fly
at about three to five months.
Birdwatching
Ask Aves Birding
Tours/Safaris/Adventures to create a tour for you or book on one of the
following Aves scheduled tours: -
Aves Eastern Cape Birding
Tour / Safari /Adventure.
Aves Highlands / Tembe Birding Tour / Safari / Adventure.
Aves KZN Birding Tour / Safari /
Adventure.
Aves North East Birding Tour /
Safari / Adventure.
Aves North West Birding Tour / Safari /
Adventure.
Aves Western Cape Birding
Tour / Safari / Adventure.
Aves West Coast Birding Tour /
Safari /Adventure.
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