Grus carunculata

(Gmelin, 1789)

Vernacular names
English : Wattled crane
French : Grue caronculée

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

Identification
Unmistakable large crane, reaching a height of 175 cm for a weight of 8.5 kg and a wingspan of 2.60 m. White neck and face with dark cap. Rest of plumage is grey to dark grey with long tail. Prominent white and red wattles, naked red face.

Range and habitat
This species occurs in eastern and south-central Africa, around Ethiopia and from Angola and Dr Congo to Tanzania, south to Mozambique and east South Africa. Lives in mostly in wetlands and floodplains, when breeding above 2000 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : VULNERABLE
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species’ populations are in continuous and alarming decline since the 1980s because of habitat loss for agriculture. Species now legally protected.
Ex-Situ Programs : SSP in America, ESB in Europe

Observation
Zoo Wuppertal (Germany), Weltvogelpark Walsrode (Germany), NOP (Netherlands), Parc des Oiseaux (France)

 

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