ANIMALS | PROGRAMS | NEWS | MEMBERS & DONORS | ADOPT AN ANIMAL | VISITS | ABOUT US | KIDS ZONE | SHOP | HOME


Stanley or Blue Crane
Anthropoides paradisea

WILD STATUS
Threatened. Low numbers, possibly down to a few hundred in South Africa and Namibia

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 famed 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 km. 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.
HABITAT RANGE
stanley_crane_map.gif 
 ANIMAL FACT SHEET
 To download the information from this page and receive a full page photo of the Stanley crane  click here for a PDF

Contact Us | Privacy Policy |  Home
COPYRIGHT 2007 MOUNTAIN VIEW CONSERVATORY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.