What kind of bird is the Crowned Crane, an animal characterized by its crest and red cheeks? We will introduce and explain its characteristics, ecology, and habitat. It is a bird that is distributed in central and western sub-Saharan Africa, and is characterized by its very flashy head. This crane, which can be seen widely in Africa, is actually designated as an endangered species.
What is a Crowned Crane? Basic Stats
The Crested Crane is a bird that belongs to the Crested Crane genus, Gruidae family, and Gruidae order. Its scientific name is Balearica pavonina, and its English name is Black crowned crane. Its kanji is 柿鶴. Its body length and total length are 100cm, and its weight is 3.5kg. Its wingspan is 1.9m. The full list of information is as follows. Its crown and cheeks are its main features.
| Japanese（和名） | カンムリヅル |
| English（英名） | Black crowned cran |
| scientific name(学名) | Balearica pavonina |
| classification（分類） | Aves、 Gruiformes、 Gruidae、pavonina 鳥綱、ツル目、ツル科、カンムリヅル属 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | VULNERABLE |
| Length（体長） | 100cm |
| Weight（体重） | 3.5kg |
Habitat
The Crowned Crane is found in central, western and southern Africa, including Uganda in sub-Saharan Africa. It is already extinct in Nigeria.
What are its characteristics? What does it look like?
The crowned crane has a black top and a yellow crest at the back of its head. The upper cheeks appear white, the lower cheeks pink, and the body is black. The feathers and wing coverts are white, and the primary feathers are black. The crowned crane lives on rivers, streams, and wetlands. The crowned crane is a resident bird that tends to stay in place. It is the national bird of Nigeria.
What is its ecology?
The crowned crane lives on grass and grain seeds, as well as insects and reptiles such as frogs. It is an oviparous breeding method. It builds nests in wetlands and lays two to three eggs. The incubation period is one month. Its lifespan is 50 to 60 years.
Do they have any natural enemies?
The crowned crane has no significant natural enemies.
Are Crowned Cranes Endangered?
Crowned cranes are designated as an endangered species (Red List). They are also listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and international trade is strictly restricted. They are considered pests that damage crops, and are not only exterminated, but their heads and wings are traditionally used for medicinal purposes, leading to overhunting. The estimated population is 28,000 to 47,000 birds.
Can Crowned Cranes be kept as pets?
As mentioned above, Crowned Cranes are an endangered species, so it is extremely difficult for ordinary people to keep them as pets. You can see them at zoos, etc. It is possible to see Grey Crowned Cranes and other species.
コメント