Grey Crowned-crane

Standing at over a metre tall, the large yet elegant grey crowned-crane (Balearica regulorum) graces many of Africa’s wetlands. Its predominantly grey plumage contrasts sharply with black and white wings, a crest of golden feathers sitting on top of the head, and a bright red gular pouch that hangs from the throat. The head is black with large white cheek patches, while the neck is pale grey. Males tend to be marginally larger than females but are otherwise indistinguishable. Juvenile grey crowned-cranes have a brownish plumage, with a darker crown and nape, while the face may be feathered and buffish. Two subspecies of grey crowned-crane are often recognised, with the East African crowned crane (Balearica regulorum gibbericeps) being the more abundant of the subspecies, found in the central and northern ranges of the species' distribution, while the South African crowned crane (Balearica regulorum regulorum) is restricted to South Africa and Zimbabwe. The two subspecies can be visually distinguished by the possession of a larger area of red skin above the white cheeks on the East African crowned crane. As with all cranes, the grey crowned-crane is omnivorous and will consume a multitude of different prey types including insects, lizards, amphibians, fish, grasses and seeds. The grey crowned-crane prefers to forage in short to medium height grasslands but will also enter cultivated land to forage for crops. This generalist diet allows the grey crowned-crane to inhabit various habitats and adapt to environmental changes, and as a result the species has proven adept to colonising human altered landscapes.