IUCN Conservation Status –
Least Concern
Extinct In The Wild
Class: Birds
Order: Gruiformes
Family: Gruidae
We are home to two Wattled cranes here at Paignton Zoo.
The wattled crane is endemic to wetland areas in select countries of sub-Saharan Africa, such as Zambia, Botswana and Ethiopia.
Due to living in wetlands, the birds mainly feed on vegetation and insects, also sometimes eating frogs and snakes.
Interesting facts!
- The species is generally a quiet bird, mostly seen in breeding pairs.
- The wattles on the crane’s throat become elongated when the bird is aggressive and shrink when the bird is threatened.
- Wattled cranes are monogamous and form pair bonds that will often last for life. The nests they create can be massive in size… up to 2 metres across!
Conservation
According to the IUCN Red List, the total wattled crane population size is estimated to be around 7,700 individuals. Degradation of the crucial wetland habitat is their biggest threat.
Conservation of wetland habitats on private lands and education programmes sponsored by private groups have been initiated, and our wattled crane pair are part of the European Studbook (ESB) for the species.