Crowned crane. How does this bird look and where does this bird live?

In the family of cranes, there are about fourteen different species. All of them have individual characteristics that distinguish them from their congeners. One of the most prominent representatives of this family is the eastern crowned crane, standing out against the background of other birds, not only by appearance, but also by the way of life.

Habitat

These birds live in open spaces. Despite the fact that the crowned crane gives preference to the shores of water bodies, water meadows and freshwater marshes, it perfectly fits in the more arid terrain. They can be seen in rice fields or plantations where other moisture-loving crops are grown. As a rule, these birds settle near acacias and other trees suitable for accommodation. They mostly live in Ethiopia, Sudan, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, and in the regions south of the Sahara.

Crowned Crane: description

This rather tall bird, whose growth is 91-104 centimeters, weighs up to five kilograms. The main part of her body is covered with black or dark gray feathers. The main distinguishing feature on which it is possible to recognize a crowned crane is the head decorated with a large golden tuft formed by stiff feathers. The cheeks of the bird are covered with red and white spots (paired on both sides). It is from here that the second name of this bird occurs, known as the red crowned crane.

Under the chin is a small throat sac, similar to that found in cocks or turkeys. On the black legs of this bird there is a rather long back finger, due to which it easily restrains on the branches of trees. This highlights them against the background of most of the relatives.

Interestingly, in crowned cranes, sexual dimorphism is almost not expressed . The females practically do not differ from males in any way. As for the young, it can be recognized by a lighter color. The upper part of the body of the growing birds is covered with reddish feathers.

Peculiarities of the marriage period

Crowned crane begins to multiply in the rainy season. Mutual courtship can manifest itself in several different ways. More often than not, birds start releasing air from the throat sac, making clapping sounds. At that moment a small head of the crane bends forward a little, then sharply backs up. They can also reproduce the characteristic trumpet sound, which distinguishes them from their congeners.

Often courtship is accompanied by a mutual dance, which includes shaking his head, flapping his wings, jumping and bouncing. Sometimes males and females, wishing to attract attention, start to throw up bunches of grass.

How does the crowned crane breed the nestlings?

The nesting area of these birds is comparatively small. The area, ranging from ten to forty hectares, is carefully guarded against encroachments from other birds. A round nest of sedge or some other herb is built near the pond, and sometimes it hides in the thick of the aquatic vegetation. The female lays not more than five eggs.

The duration of the incubation period averages about a month. In the incubation, not only the mother, but also the father takes part. But most of the time in the nest is still a female. Taurus hatched chicks covered with gray-brown down. Literally the next day, the kids begin to leave the nest. The first independent flights of cranes are performed at three months of age.

What do these birds eat?

Crowned crane is omnivorous. He consumes food of vegetable and animal origin with the same appetite. The basis of his diet consists of all kinds of seeds, shoots, insects and even small vertebrates.

Periodically, it feeds on grains growing on agricultural fields. However, farmers have long ceased to perceive it as a pest. During the drought, the cranes migrate to the highlands, closer to the habitat of large herds of animals, since there is an abundance of disturbed invertebrates there.

Legend associated with the crowned crane

Among the indigenous African peoples, an amazing legend is spread, telling of a lost leader, asking various animals to tell him the right way. However, none of them helped him.

After enough long wanderings the leader was lucky to meet cranes who managed to show him the right way. Filled with gratitude, a man presented each of these birds with a beautiful crown of pure gold. After some time, the cranes returned to him and complained that his gifts were destroyed by other animals. The wise leader called for a local sorcerer, and he, with a single touch to the heads of birds, created noble feathers for them.