Get to know the cranes of the world (and their protectors)
Did you know… there are 15 different crane species in the world? And most of them are in trouble.
11 crane species are threatened – with four of these already considered Endangered or Critically Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.
South Africa is fortunate to be home to three crane species:
| Grey Crowned Crane
(Global and regional listing: Endangered)
These regal birds with their bright red gular sack, black-and-white head and crown of stiff golden feathers are found across the African continent. Stretching from Uganda and Kenya to South Africa, these non-migratory crane populations have been known to undertake some seasonal movements.
Image: Martin Grimm, iNaturalist
| Wattled Crane
(Global listing: Vulnerable; Regional listing: Critically Endangered)
This species is named after the feathered flaps of skin – or “wattles” – hanging from its chin. They occur in eleven sub-Saharan countries in Africa. Although more than half of the world’s Wattled Cranes occur in Zambia, the single largest concentration occurs in Botswana’s Okavango Delta.
| Blue Crane
(Global listing: Vulnerable; Regional listing: Near Threatened)
As the country’s national bird, it’s fitting that more than 99% of the Blue Crane population occurs in South Africa. Their iconic silvery bluish gray bodies are contrasted by their black wingtips and extra-long black tertial feathers.
The Blue Cranes are threatened by changes in agriculture practices, power line collisions, human disturbance and land conversion. Poisoning – unintentional and intentional – as well as live capture and egg collection for commercial trade also disrupt populations.
Since 1991, the Overberg Crane Group (OCG) has been committed to the conservation of Blue Cranes in the area. And we would not have supported conservation here were it not for our partnerships.
We are therefore proud to call the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) and the International Crane Foundation (ICF) our partners in protecting these beautiful birds in the Overberg.
The EWT and the International Crane Foundation also work together in furthering conservation of cranes and their habitats throughout Africa. The EWT Western Cape project is supported by the Leiden Conservation Foundation and Eskom Hld SOC Ltd.
Image: Christian Artuso, iNaturalist
Beyond our national borders, there are more extraordinary cranes to be found in Africa:
| Black Crowned Crane
(Vulnerable)
With their striking black body, white wings and red and white cheek patches, these birds are bound to catch your eye. Most populations are found within the Sahel region of northern Africa, with a large population occurring in Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Kenya.
Image: Jeff Chapman, iNaturalist
| Demoiselle Crane
(Least Concern)
The Demoiselle Crane can be found in six main populations in 47 countries throughout the world, including countries in northwestern Africa. They are the smallest species of crane and can be recognised by their reddish-orange eyes, short bill and a long white plume feathers stretching from the eye to beyond the head.
Image: Paul Cools, iNaturalist
Cranes are important cultural symbols around the world, and need protecting now more than ever before. The ICF coordinates worldwide efforts to conserve cranes and their habitats.
To catch a glimpse of the other crane species, however, you would have to travel to Asia…
| Black-necked Crane
(Near Threatened)
These black and white cranes with a small red crown typically breed in the Himalayan mountains and parts of central China and northern India. Their diet includes anything from plant roots, tubers and waste grain to shrimp, frogs and lizards.
| Eurasian
Crane
(Least Concern)
Breeding in eastern and central Asia and wintering in India and Northwest Africa, the Eurasian Crane is of least concern with regards to its conservation status. Its diet consists of plant materials, insects, peanuts, beans and other cereal grains and small mammals.
Image: Agustín Povedano, iNaturalist
| Hooded
Crane
(Vulnerable)
The Hooded Crane’s bright red eyes and forehead patch are in stark contrast with its white head and neck and its slate-grey body. These birds mostly occur in southeastern Russia, northern China and Mongolia.
Image: Christoph Moning, iNaturalist
| Red-crowned Crane
(Endangered)
The Endangered Red-crowned Crane typically breeds in east Asia and winters in two or three subpopulations along rivers and in marshes in Japan, China and the Korean Peninsula. In Hokkaido, Japan, the cranes even feed on human-provided corn, cereal grains and fish.
Image: @naturepower2021, iNaturalist
| Sarus
Crane
(Vulnerable)
Weighing roughly 6.35 kg, the Sarus Crane is the largest crane species in the world. Their heads and upper necks are covered with a distinct red skin and topped with a greenish crown. They also sport a small ear patch of greyish feathers – a feature that is not yet obvious with juvenile birds.
| Siberian
Crane
(Critically Endangered)
With their red foreheads and legs, white plumage and black wingtips, this is the only crane species that is globally listed as Critically Endangered. They are now only found in one main population in East Asia, with a few birds remaining in the historic Western/Central population.
| White-naped Crane
(Vulnerable)
The White-naped Crane’s body is mostly grey with a reddish face patch, pinkish legs and a dark-grey-and-white striped neck. They typically breed in northeastern Mongolia, northeastern China and adjacent areas of southeastern Russia.
Image: Christoph Moning, iNaturalist
…and then travel some more!
| Brolga
Crane
(Least Concern)
The Brolga sports a bare crown covered with greenish-grey skin, light bluish grey plumage and red skin on its face, cheeks and pendulous throat pouch. This crane can be spotted throughout northern and eastern Australia and in limited areas of Papua New Guinea.
Image: Graham Winterflood, iNaturalist
| Sandhill
Crane
(Least Concern)
With five subspecies – two migratory and three non-migratory – Sandhill Cranes can be spotted in Siberia, Canada, the U.S., Mexico and Cuba. Their call can be recognised as a loud, rattling “kar-r-r-o-o-o”.
Image: Ad Konings, iNaturalist
| Whooping Crane
(Endangered)
Including both captive and wild populations, it is currently estimated that there are only 802 Whooping Cranes left in the world – all in North America. Only two distinct migratory populations breed in northwestern Canada and central Wisconsin, and small, non-migratory populations live in central Florida and coastal Louisiana.
Image: @j_albright, iNaturalist
SOURCES:
Overberg Crane Group (www.bluecrane.org.za)
International Crane Foundation (www.savingcranes.org)
Top image: @bdr_photography, iNaturalist