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Difference between revisions of "Grey Crowned Crane" - BirdForum Opus

(Flight picture. Distribution, Behaviour & References expanded)
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[[Image:Grey_Crowned_Crane.jpg|thumb|450px|right|Photo by {{user|rudydbn|rudydbn}} <br />Stanger, [[KwaZulu-Natal]], South Africa, July 2006 ]]
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[[Image:Grey_Crowned_Crane.jpg|thumb|400px|right|Photo by {{user|rudydbn|rudydbn}} <br />Stanger, [[KwaZulu-Natal]], [[South Africa]], July 2006 ]]
 
;[[:Category:Balearica|Balearica]] regulorum
 
;[[:Category:Balearica|Balearica]] regulorum
 
==Identification==
 
==Identification==
Length 105-110 cm, 3-4 kg<br />
+
Length 100–110 cm, 3-4 kg<br />
 
Within its range, unmistakable with its large gold crown; in flight shows white wing coverts, black primaries and chestnut secondaries.
 
Within its range, unmistakable with its large gold crown; in flight shows white wing coverts, black primaries and chestnut secondaries.
 
====Similar Species====
 
====Similar Species====
 
The [[Black Crowned Crane]] is much darker and found further north; distribution does not overlap.  
 
The [[Black Crowned Crane]] is much darker and found further north; distribution does not overlap.  
 
==Distribution==
 
==Distribution==
Eastern and southern [[Africa]]: [[South Africa]] to southern [[Uganda]] and southern [[Kenya]].
+
[[Africa]]<br />
 +
'''Western Africa''': found only in [[Democratic Republic of Congo]] and [[Angola]]<br />
 +
'''Eastern Africa''': [[Kenya]], [[Uganda]], [[Rwanda]], [[Burundi]], [[Tanzania]], [[Zambia]] and [[Mozambique]], [[Malawi]]<br />
 +
'''Southern Africa''': [[Namibia]], [[Botswana]], [[Zimbabwe]], [[South Africa]], [[KwaZulu-Natal]]
 +
 
 +
They have also been introduced to [[North America]]
 +
[[Image:MG 4761-Edit.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|Stephen+Powell|Stephen Powell}}<br />Ngorongoro Crater, [[Tanzania]], September 2012]]
 
==Taxonomy==
 
==Taxonomy==
====Subspecies<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>====
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====Subspecies====
[[Image:JuvieGreyCrownedCrane.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Juvenile<br />Photo by {{user|Steve+G|Steve G}} <br />Mount Kenya,  [[Kenya]], August,  2010]]
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There are 2 subspecies<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>:
*''B. r. gibbericeps'' - [[Uganda]] and [[Kenya]] to northern [[Zimbabwe]] and northern [[Mozambique]]
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*''B. r. regulorum'' - Southern [[Angola]] and northern [[Namibia]] to [[Zimbabwe]] and eastern [[South Africa]]
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*''B. r. gibbericeps'':
 +
:*[[Uganda]] and [[Kenya]] to northern [[Zimbabwe]] and northern [[Mozambique]]
 +
*''B. r. regulorum'':
 +
:*Southern [[Angola]] and northern [[Namibia]] to [[Zimbabwe]] and eastern [[South Africa]]
 
==Habitat==
 
==Habitat==
 
Breed in wetlands with tall vegetation. Forages in grasslands, cultivated lands and pastures.
 
Breed in wetlands with tall vegetation. Forages in grasslands, cultivated lands and pastures.
 
==Behaviour==
 
==Behaviour==
 +
[[Image:JuvieGreyCrownedCrane.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Juvenile<br />Photo by {{user|Steve+G|Steve G}} <br />Mount Kenya,  [[Kenya]], August,  2010]]
 
Forms flocks (usually less than 20 birds, exceptionally up to 300) when not breeding.
 
Forms flocks (usually less than 20 birds, exceptionally up to 300) when not breeding.
 
====Diet====
 
====Diet====
 
Eats leaves and seeds of grasses, invertebrates and small vertebrates.
 
Eats leaves and seeds of grasses, invertebrates and small vertebrates.
 +
====Vocalisation====
 +
'''Call''': a low-pitched honk.
 
==References==
 
==References==
#{{Ref-Clements6thDec09}}
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#{{Ref-Clements6thAug14}}#Avibase
 +
#Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (retrieved February 2015)
 
{{ref}}
 
{{ref}}
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==
 
{{GSearch|Balearica+regulorum}}
 
{{GSearch|Balearica+regulorum}}
 
[[Category:Birds]][[Category:Balearica]]
 
[[Category:Birds]][[Category:Balearica]]

Revision as of 22:46, 21 February 2015

Photo by rudydbn
Stanger, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, July 2006
Balearica regulorum

Identification

Length 100–110 cm, 3-4 kg
Within its range, unmistakable with its large gold crown; in flight shows white wing coverts, black primaries and chestnut secondaries.

Similar Species

The Black Crowned Crane is much darker and found further north; distribution does not overlap.

Distribution

Africa
Western Africa: found only in Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola
Eastern Africa: Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Zambia and Mozambique, Malawi
Southern Africa: Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal

They have also been introduced to North America

Photo by Stephen Powell
Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania, September 2012

Taxonomy

Subspecies

There are 2 subspecies[1]:

  • B. r. gibbericeps:
  • B. r. regulorum:

Habitat

Breed in wetlands with tall vegetation. Forages in grasslands, cultivated lands and pastures.

Behaviour

Juvenile
Photo by Steve G
Mount Kenya, Kenya, August, 2010

Forms flocks (usually less than 20 birds, exceptionally up to 300) when not breeding.

Diet

Eats leaves and seeds of grasses, invertebrates and small vertebrates.

Vocalisation

Call: a low-pitched honk.

References

  1. Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2014. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.9., with updates to August 2014. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
  2. Avibase
  3. Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (retrieved February 2015)

Recommended Citation

External Links

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