HEIGHT: ~ 104 cm, 3 ft
WEIGHT: ~ 3.6 kg, 8 lbs
POPULATION: 26,500 – 33,500
TREND: Decreasing
SUBSPECIES: Balearica regulorum gibbericeps (East African), Balearica regulorum regulorum (South African)
STATUS: IUCN: EN; Cites Appendix II
HEIGHT: ~ 104 cm, 3 ft
WEIGHT: ~ 3.6 kg, 8 lbs
POPULATION: 26,500 – 33,500
TREND: Decreasing
SUBSPECIES: Balearica regulorum gibbericeps (East African), Balearica regulorum regulorum (South African)
STATUS: IUCN: EN; Cites Appendix II
Primitive species of crowned cranes date back in the fossil record to the Eocene Epoch (56 to 33.9 million years ago). At least 11 species of crowned cranes once existed in Europe and North America. However, because crowned cranes are not cold hardy it is believed they died out in these areas as the Earth cooled and only survived in warmer Africa.
Adults – grey body, white wings with feathers ranging from white to brown to gold, head topped with stiff golden feathers, white cheek patches, red gular sack under chin, black legs and feet, short, grey bill; juveniles – greyish body, brown nape, buffy face, crown spiky and golden buff.
Download FREE Grey Crowned Crane images.
The Grey Crowned Crane’s range stretches from the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Kenya to southeastern South Africa. Grey Crowned Cranes are non-migratory, but undertake variable local and seasonal movements and are most abundant in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.
Tips of grasses, seeds, insects and other invertebrates, small vertebrates, groundnuts, soybeans, maize and millet.
Listen to Grey Crowned Crane calls:
Contact Call | A soft, purring call expressing reassurance and location.
Wetland loss and degradation, human disturbance, live capture and egg collection for commercial trade, unintentional or intentional poisoning, power line collisions and land development.
Reducing the impact of global trade on all African crane species. We are:
Engaging communities in the conservation of Grey Crowned Cranes and their wetland habitats across East and Southern Africa. We are:
Fight the African Crane Trade.
Become a member of the International Crane Foundation.
Learn more about Grey Crowned Cranes:
Johnsgard PA. 1983. Cranes of the world. Bloomington: Indiana University Press.