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West African crowned crane
Balearica pavonina pavonina
| Size |
They are 39-41 inches tall with a wingspan of 70-78 inches |
| Weight |
They weigh 6.5 to 9.0 pounds.
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| Conservation Status |
On the 2007 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the West African crowned crane is listed as Near Threatened. |
| Diet |
These crowned cranes are omnivorous and opportunistic feeders. In the wild, they eat insects, mollusks, millipedes, crustaceans, small fish, amphibians, reptiles, seed heads, grasses and crops like millet, corn and rice.
In the Zoo, west African crowned cranes eat commercial pellets, soaked dog meal, ground meat, chopped escarole plus lettuce, fruit, chopped fish and crickets. |
| Geographic Range |
West African crowned cranes live in sub-Saharan west Africa from Gambia to lower Chad. |
| Where to find me in the Zoo |
African Plains |
Note: Description below should include Longevity, Behavior, and Reproduction information
The unmistakable feature of these birds is the elaborate, large, straw-colored crest that covers the top of the head. West African crowned cranes have long, slender necks and long legs.
Males and females are similarly colored; however, the males are slightly larger than the females. West African crowned cranes are a grayish overall color with slightly lighter under parts. Their tails, bills, long legs and toes are black, and they have a red wattle. The crane's beak is short, straight and sharp.
West African crowned cranes prefer the wetland portions of grasslands and open savannas, flooded lowlands and wet croplands.
There is no published longevity record for this species but there are West African crowned cranes in captivity approaching 40 years of age.
West African crowned cranes are monogamous and remain a couple for life unless one mate dies or breeding is unsuccessful. Both the male and female together build the nest, incubate the eggs and care for the young.
The age of sexual maturity for wild West African crowned crane is not known. Birds in captivity are usually capable of breeding at 3 years of age. Egg clutches are typically 2-3 eggs and the young hatch after 28 to 31 days of incubation. The young are precocial and capable of foraging with the parents soon after hatching. They can attain complete independance from the parents between 60 and 100 days after hatching.
West African crowned cranes are diurnal, or active during the daytime. They are found in pairs during breeding season but can form large flocks during other times of the year.
Both visual and vocal displays play prominent roles in the lives of these cranes. Cranes are well known for their elaborate dances. Among crowned cranes, dancing can involve bows, leaps, runs, short flights, jerky bouncing, running and stick tossing. In adult cranes, dancing is thought to strengthen the pairbond and may also stimulate reproduction. Cranes of all ages, paired and unpaired, are known to dance. The function of dancing in young birds is not entirely known but it may help to reduce aggression with other cranes, provide physical exercise or relieve anxiety.
West African crowned cranes have relatively short beaks that are adapted to grasp insects, pluck seeds and graze on vegetation. These cranes feed mainly by pecking at the surface and may stamp their feet to scare up invertebrates to eat. Their long, prehensile hind toes (or hallux) allows them to roost in trees, which they commonly do.
The Zoo's two West African crowned cranes are father and daughter. The father was hatched at Busch Gardens on September 28, 1980 and arrived at the Zoo on January 21, 1986. His daughter was hatched here on September 1, 1992.
Enrichment
Adoption Information
Featured Foster Parent
The Philadelphia Zoo's west African crowned cranes are found in African Plains together with the secretary birds, storks and gazelles. They can only be seen in the summer as they are off exhibit in the wintertime.
Enrichment
Fun Facts
The west African crowned crane is unique among cranes because it has a long and prehensile hind toe, called a hallux. This adaptation allows it to roost in trees.
The west African crowned crane is omnivorous and an opportunistic feeder.
West African crowned cranes are monogamous and tend to mate for life. Males and females participate together in building the nest, incubating the eggs and caring for their young.
Crown cranes are known for their multi-functional dances. Their dancing is very lively and can involve bows, leaps, runs, short flights, jerky bouncing, running and even stick tossing.
Conservation
Introductions
Animal Lingo
Want More?
Sources:
(1) Philadelphia Zoo staff
(2) Campbell, Bruce and Lack, Elizabeth, eds. 1985. A Dictionary of Birds. Published for the British Ornithologists' Union. Vermillion, SD: Buteo Books.
(3) del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., and Sargatal, J. eds. 1992. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. 1 Lynx. Barcelona: Edicions.
(4) Grzimek, Bernhard. 2002. Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia. 2nd ed. Birds. Detroit: Gale.
(5) Johnsgard, Paul A. 1983. Cranes of the World. Bloomington: Indiana University Press.
(6) Perrins, Dr. Christopher M. and Middleton, Dr. Alex L. A., eds. 1985. The Encyclopedia of Birds. New York: Facts on File.
(7) Walinshaw, Lawrence. 1973. Cranes of the World. New York: Winchester Press.
(8) IUCN 2007. 2007 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. www.iucnredlist.org. Downloaded on 04 January 2008.
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