African Crowned Crane

(Balearica Pavonina) a bird of the order Gruiformes. Found in Africa south of the Sahara. Same size as the common crane. Plumage is gray with black and white wings. There is a tuft of stiff straw-yellow feathers on the head (hence the name). Legs and beak are black.

The African crowned crane leads a settled or semisettled way of life. It lives in large flocks. During nesting the birds live in pairs, usually in river valleys. There are two eggs in a clutch. The chicks hatch from September to November. They feed mainly on small amphibians, snails, insects, and worms, as well as on seeds and the green parts of plants. In contrast to other cranes, the crowned cranes often rest and even roost in trees. They live well in captivity and are often kept in parks as decorative birds.