The Grey Crowned Crane, a jewel of the African savannas, instantly recognizable by its spectacular crown of golden feathers.
The Crowned Symbol of the African Savannas
The Grey Crowned Crane (Balearica regulorum) is truly one of the most stunning and recognizable birds found in Africa. With its graceful walk, striking colors, and, most notably, its magnificent crown of golden feathers, it captures the attention of everyone who sees it. This remarkable bird, which thrives in groups across wetlands and savannas, is celebrated not just for its beauty but also for its intricate courtship dances—a real natural wonder. Sadly, this beauty is now facing serious threats.
Our Ornithologist's Tip
By the Les-Oiseaux.com team, published on August 06, 2025.
My personal advice: To identify the Grey Crowned Crane without a doubt, forget its size for a moment and focus on its head. The combination of three elements is unmistakable: the crown of stiff, golden feathers, the large immaculate white cheek patches (sometimes with a small red spot at the top), and the bright red gular sac under the chin, which can be inflated. This facial "ID card" distinguishes it from its cousin, the Black Crowned Crane (Balearica pavonina), which has red and white cheek patches and a darker neck.
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Identifying the Grey Crowned Crane: Key Features
The Grey Crowned Crane is a large wading bird, standing about 1 meter (3.3 ft) tall with a wingspan of up to 2 meters (6.5 ft). Its plumage is a mix of grey, white, and colorful accents.
The Head: The most distinctive feature is the crown of golden feathers, which are stiff and bristle-like. The head is covered in black velvet, contrasting with large white cheek patches and a bright red gular sac under the bill.
The Body: The body plumage is mainly pearl grey, lighter on the neck.
The Wings: The wings are broad and primarily white but also feature black, brown, and golden feathers, which are particularly visible in flight or during displays.
The Bill and Legs: The bill is short, robust, and dark grey. The long legs are black, and unlike most cranes, they have a long hind toe that allows them to perch in trees.
There is no marked sexual dimorphism, although males may be slightly larger. Juveniles are duller, with buffy feathers on the head and brown eyes.
The Call: A Powerful Cry
The Grey Crowned Crane is far from silent. It emits powerful, resonant calls, often described as "waou" or "may-hem," frequently delivered as a duet by the pair. These calls, which can be heard from a great distance, are produced thanks to a specific tracheal sac and are amplified by the red gular sac. The calls are particularly common during courtship displays or in flight.
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Behavior: The Spectacular Dance
The Grey Crowned Crane is a social bird that lives in pairs or small family groups, sometimes gathering in large flocks of up to 200 individuals. It is a diurnal and sedentary bird.
Its most famous behavior is undoubtedly its dance. Far from being limited to courtship, this activity is practiced year-round. It consists of a series of bows, graceful leaps up to two meters high, runs with wings half-spread, and tossing bits of vegetation into the air. This complex dance serves both to form and strengthen the pair bond, which is monogamous and for life, and to ease tensions within the group.
Omnivorous, it forages by striding through savannas and wetlands. Its diet is varied: seeds, insects, frogs, snakes, and small fish. It has a habit of stamping its feet on the ground to flush out insects.
Habitat and Distribution
The Grey Crowned Crane is endemic to eastern and southern Africa. It favors open habitats, a mix of wetlands for nesting and drier savannas or grasslands for foraging. It is thus found in marshes, floodplains, along rivers, but also in agricultural areas. It is, along with the Black Crowned Crane, the only crane able to roost in trees, which it often does to sleep safely.
Its population is mainly divided between two subspecies: B. r. gibbericeps in East Africa (Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania) and B. r. regulorum in Southern Africa (Angola, South Africa).
Distribution Map
Resident Range
Conservation Status
Despite its iconic status, the Grey Crowned Crane is a species whose future is a cause for concern. Listed as "Endangered" (EN) on the IUCN Red List, its population has seen a rapid decline in recent decades. The main threats are the loss and degradation of its habitat, particularly the drainage of wetlands for agriculture and urban development. Pesticide use, collisions with power lines, hunting, and the illegal capture of eggs and chicks for the pet trade are other significant pressures. Conservation programs are in place, especially in Uganda, where it is the national bird, to protect nesting sites and raise awareness among local communities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the Grey Crowned Crane
Why is the Grey Crowned Crane endangered?
The Grey Crowned Crane is listed as 'Endangered' by the IUCN primarily due to the loss and degradation of its habitat. The drainage of wetlands for agriculture, urbanization, pesticide use, and illegal capture for the pet trade are the most significant threats to its populations.
What is special about the Grey Crowned Crane's dance?
The dance of the Grey Crowned Crane is a complex and spectacular behavior. It is not solely for courtship. Composed of jumping, running, wing-flapping, and bowing, this dance serves to strengthen the bond of the pair, which is monogamous and mates for life, but also to socialize within the group and release tension.
Where can you see Grey Crowned Cranes?
The Grey Crowned Crane lives in the savannas and wetlands of eastern and southern Africa. It can be observed in countries like Kenya, Uganda (where it is the national bird), Tanzania, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, often near lakes, rivers, or in flooded grasslands.
Does the Grey Crowned Crane migrate?
No, unlike many other crane species, the Grey Crowned Crane does not migrate. It is sedentary but may make local and seasonal movements depending on the availability of food and water.
Why can it perch in trees?
The Grey Crowned Crane, along with its close relative the Black Crowned Crane, are the only cranes capable of perching in trees. They achieve this thanks to a long, prehensile hind toe that allows them to grip branches firmly to rest or sleep, safe from terrestrial predators.
