East African Crowned Crane

Habitat

Grassland and swamps.

Wild Diet

Insects, grass seed and vegetation.

Behaviour

Cranes choose a single mate and at the start of the spring or the rainy season, move to a secluded place where they establish and defend their breeding ground.

Breeding

Cranes nest on the ground, often in a bare hollow where 2-3 eggs are incubated by both male and female for 28-36 days.

Threats

Habitat destruction and degradation for cattle-grazing, coal mining and other agricultural land-use changes. They are also at risk from hunting, egg-collecting and poisoning from pesticides.

Conservation

The East-African crowned-crane is an Endangered species and is currently protected by law in South Africa, Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe. Conservation projects are being carried out in these areas.