| Actual Image
West African Crowned Crane (20)
Oldtree
![Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 45 W: 0 N: 92]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/s-n-g.gif) (256) | Next station of my visit at the birds park walsrode (please see my other photo's for more info about this park).
There are two major crowned crane species in africa. The "West African Crowned Crane" (Balearica pavonina) and the "East African Crowned Crane" (Balearica regulorum).
The following info can be found at:
http://www.sazoo-aq.org/02meet/02sublinks/crcrane.html.
...Standing just over 4 feet tall, it has white ovals behind the eyes, a bright red patch on each cheek, a bright red wattle, and a large, erect, spiky plume of golden brown feathers on its head like the crest on a Roman helmet. Its plumage is basically dark gray to black. Its wings are white with yellowish tips and its tail feathers are brown. The east African species has a gray neck while the west African bird's neck is black. The east African variety's red cheek patch lies above the white patch behind the eye and the west African species has its red patch beneath the white patch on its cheek. Males and females have similar plumage. One of the most unusual features of this bird, like all cranes is in the internal anatomy of its windpipe, which may be 5 feet long, half of which is coiled within the breastbone. The enormous length of the windpipe gives the cranes their loud trombone-like calls, which can carry for a mile or more...
... During the breeding season, crowned cranes gather, sometimes in large groups to perform spectacular breeding dances. Not only do the monogamous breeding pairs dance with each other, but all join in, even non-breeding juveniles. The crowned crane's dance is particularly outstanding as it postures with wings outstretched to display its feathers, struts about and jumps high into the air...
I have added a workshop to show you this bird also in a total view. |
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