|
East African Crowned Crane Balearica regulorum gibbericeps
Ostafrikanischer Kronenkranich / Østafrikansk krontrane
Facts: Weight: 3–4 kg
Height: 100–110 cm
Habitat: Tropical and subtropical Africa, primarily to the east and south-east. It lives in wetland areas, open grassland and savannahs.
Sexual maturity: 3 years
Incubation period: 28–31 days
Number of eggs per clutch: 1–4
Food: Seeds from grass, insects, crickets, worms, frogs, crabs and lizards.
All cranes ‘dance’ during mating season. This helps to bind the couples and synchronise the breeding time. Crowned cranes emit a loud trumpeting sound by puffing up the red laryngeal pouch and the pair of cranes ‘sing’ a duet. They become mates for life or as long as their breeding is successful. If no eggs and chicks are produced, they switch mates.
Most nests are made on the ground, rarely in trees. The juveniles are ready to fly by the time they are 56–100 days old.
|
