Habitat and Range Description Food Breeding Sounds More Images Recent Literature

Cranes

Order: GruiformesAfrican Crowned Crane

Family: Gruidae

15 species

HABITAT AND RANGE:

worldwide, especially northern hemisphere;

DESCRIPTION:

plumage largely white, gray or brown; ornamental plumes and/or bare areas on head; bill straight, long; wings large; tail short; legs long; hallux elevated; fly with neck extended;

FOOD:

gregarious terrestrial omnivores, never perching in trees;

BREEDING:

spectacular courtship dances; sexes similar; usually 2 eggs; monogamous; biparental care.

SOUNDS:

MORE IMAGES:

RECENT LITERATURE:

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(Image taken from Peterson, Roger. Eastern Birds. Houghton Mifflin: Boston, 1980.)