Blue or Stanley Crane
Anthropoides paradisea
WILD STATUS
Vulnerable.
DISTRIBUTION
South Africa and Namibia.
SIZE
Height 1.2m (4’) tall
Weight 5kg (11 lbs).
HABITAT
Open dry grassland.
REPRODUCTION
Eggs are laid in clutches of 2-3 and are incubated for 30-33 days.
DIET
Insects, frogs and crabs as well as seeds from grasses and sedges.
INTERESTING TIDBITS
- National bird of South Africa, named after renowned British explorer of Stanley and Livingston fame.
- Also called Blue Crane.
- Not having any camouflage, these birds are very exposed sitting on their nests. Their success lies in their alertness. They can be seen sitting on the nest from more than a kilometre away, but they will have seen you first. By the time you get near the nest, the adults will be a few metres away and it is very difficult to find the nest.
- Raising of the feathers around the neck is a threat display.
- Dancing is mainly a courtship display. It can also be used to express aggression, relieve tension and to strengthen the pair bond.
- These birds have extremely sharp beaks and are very adept at using them for defense.
ANIMAL FACT SHEET
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