Grey Crowned Crane

Body plumage is mostly grey. The wings are a mixture of white, brown, and black feathers, with distinctive bright red and buff-colored secondary feathers. The face features prominent white and red patches, a black forehead, and a stiff, golden-yellow crown of bristly feathers on the head. Juveniles are duller and greyer with feathered faces.

Stiff golden crown, grey body, white and black wing patches, red gular pouch, and white/red cheek patches.

Height: about 100 cm (39 inches), Weight: 3.5 kg (7.7 lbs), Wingspan: 180-200 cm (71-79 inches).

A loud, resonant honking or booming call, often accompanied by inflation of the red throat pouch.

Omnivorous; feeds on plants, seeds, grains, insects, frogs, lizards, small mammals, and occasionally other birds' eggs. Forages by walking and pecking or probing in shallow water and mud.

Wetlands, marshes, river valleys, and adjacent grassy savannas or agricultural lands.

Mainly resident, but undertakes local nomadic movements in response to seasonal water availability.

Builds a large platform nest of grass and sedges in or near shallow water. Lays 2 to 5 eggs, incubated by both parents for roughly 28 to 31 days.

Black Crowned Crane (Balearica pavonina), which has a more northerly African distribution, a darker neck, and different facial skin coloration (white above red rather than red above white).

Acts as an umbrella species for wetland ecosystems and helps control insect and small vertebrate populations.

Endangered, with decreasing population trends primarily due to habitat loss and capture for the illegal pet trade.

Look for them in open grasslands adjacent to wetlands, especially in the morning or late afternoon when they are actively foraging. Use binoculars or a spotting scope for best viewing.

The Grey Crowned Crane is the national bird of Uganda and features prominently on the Ugandan national flag and coat of arms. Unlike most other cranes, they can roost in trees due to a long hind toe that can grasp branches.