Grus paradisea

(Lichtenstein, 1793)

Vernacular names
English : Blue crane
French : Grue de paradis

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Gruiformes
Family : Gruidae
Notes : No subspecies known

Identification
Adults can reach a body size of 120 cm and a weight of 5.3 kg, males being bigger than females. Unmistakable. Very long tail, entire plumage grey-blue. No naked red area on top of head. Nape feathers give distinctive head shape.

Range and habitat
This species occurs in Southern Africa, in the Etosha Pan area of Namibia and in most of eastern and southern South Africa and Swaziland. Lives in grasslands, wetlands and agricultural areas.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : VULNERABLE
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species has suffered a drastic decline because of poisoning in farming regions and global loss of habitat, especially habitat suitable for breeding.
Ex-Situ Programs : SSP in America, ESB in Europe

Observation
Tierpark Berlin (Germany), Zoo de Mulhouse (France)

 

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