Grey Crowned Crane
Balearica regulorum
The Grey Crowned Crane, elegance and majesty at the Martinique Zoo
The Grey Crowned Crane (Balearica regulorum) is one of the most recognizable birds in the world. Native to sub-Saharan Africa, it lives mainly in humid savannas, floodplains and swampy areas, always near water points. Its slender figure, its long legs and especially its golden crown of stiff feathers make it an immediately identifiable species.
Classified Endangered (EN) by the IUCN, the Grey Crowned Crane sees its numbers dwindle in the wild. The disappearance of wetlands, intensive agriculture and illegal capture are seriously weakening its populations.
La Grey Crowned Crane is about one meter high with a wingspan that can exceed two meters. Its light gray plumage contrasts with its white cheeks, its red throat and the golden top of its head. It moves slowly, with a graceful gait, but can also make short flights.
Omnivorous, it feeds on insects, seeds, small invertebrates, amphibians and sometimes small reptiles. This varied diet allows it to adapt to the seasons and to play an important role in the balance of open ecosystems.
At the Martinique Zoo, the Grey crowned crane shares its space with the American flamingos.
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Quelques anecdotes
An impressive bridal dance
During the breeding season, Grey Crowned Cranes perform real parades: jumps, flaps of wings, bows and synchronized movements. These dances strengthen the bond between the couple and play a key role in reproduction, a rare and fascinating behavior for birds.
A bird that sleeps perched
Unlike many cranes, the Grey Crowned Crane is able to perch in trees thanks to a well-developed rear finger. It sometimes spends the night there, a behavior that is found in few large birds and that distinguishes it from other species living in the park's wetlands.
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